The following update was issued by the Durango Interagency Fire Dispatch at 5:30 p.m. regarding the Little Devil Fire:
Fire facts:
Start: Aug. 18
Cause: Lightning
Size: 48 acres — Acreage has been corrected due to more accurate mapping.
Percent contained: 50 percent
Number of personnel: 93 including four handcrews, eight smokejumpers and nine miscellaneous overhead.
Aircraft: one air attack, two single-engine air tankers and one Type-3 helicopter.
Update on today’s activities: Fire resources are close to completing all the containment lines and mop up operations have begun. Mop up kits, which include hose and portable water bladders, have been ordered and will be flown into the fire by the Type-3 helicopter. Firefighters will search out and extinguish burning and smoldering fuels along the fireline and within the perimeter. They will use hand tools and water to dig and stir hot materials that threaten the containment lines. “Cold trailing” tactics will also be utilized, firefighters will feel with their hands along the fireline for heat and making sure the area is cold. The Little Devil Fire received light precipitation during today’s operations.
During the course of the fire the single-engine air tankers were highly effective in the steep terrain and played a key role supporting firefighter’s success on the ground. Since Aug. 18, the Little Devil Fire has received 24 retardant drops totaling 16,880 gallons.
A Type-6 engine from the Black Hills National Forest arrived today to assist the Pagosa Ranger District with new fire starts.
Closures: Road closures remain in effect: 626, Devil Mountain Road, and 627, which accesses the Devil Creek State Wildlife Area, are closed for public safety.
Community concerns: The fire and smoke will be visible from U.S. 160 and Colo. 151.
There are no immediate structures, private property or critical infrastructure threatened by the Little Devil Fire.
Weather: Moisture is predicted to increase on Saturday along with lighter winds. Monsoonal moisture is forecast to increase early next week. There is still the possibility of isolated showers and thunderstorms.
