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416 Fire Doubles In Size In Just 24 Hours; New Evacuation Orders Given

DURANGO, Colo. (CBS4) - The 416 Fire has doubled its size in about 24 hours. It's grown to more than 16,700 acres about 10 miles north of Durango.

416 fire 1 (credit inciweb)
(credit: InciWeb)

Officials say they saw significant growth on the west and northwest sides, as they expected.

416 FIRE LATEST 5VO.transfer_frame_391
(credit: CBS)

La Plata County officials issued new mandatory evacuation notices for residents in Purgatory, Lake Purgatory, Silver Pick Lodge, Cascade Village, Mill Creek and all residences on both sides of U.S. 550 between mile markers 46.5 to 53.1.

A CodeRED notification has been sent to affected homeowners.

416 fire evac zones (credit la plata county)
Map of new evacuation zones for the 416 Fire Sunday morning. (credit: La Plata County)

U.S. 550 has been closed until further notice from the San Juan County line to Cometti Lane. Evacuees, however, will be escorted through the closure zone.

PHOTO GALLERY: 416 Fire

Officials say they expect critical fire weather conditions with wind becoming more active by 10 a.m. They add that the stability and dryness levels over the fire are rated as the highest, most extreme for Sunday.

LINK: 416 Fire

The fire is 10 percent contained, and an air quality advisory is still in effect for the region because of the amount of smoke laying over the area.

416 fire air quality (credit cdot)
Haze over southwestern Colorado because of the 416 fire. (credit: CDOT)

Escalante Middle School is serving as an evacuation center.

Livestock can be evacuated to the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Animal owners can call the emergency call center at (970) 385-8700 can help coordinate pick-up of livestock. Small animals are being accepted at the La Plata County Humane Society.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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