Lopez Fire

#LopezFireCO update (6/13 at 9:00am)

The incident commander is reporting that the Lopez Fire did not advance past last evening’s perimeter during the overnight hours. The size is still 88 acres. No containment is reported but is expected to increase tonight. The helicopter remains assigned to the fire and air tankers will only be called if needed.

Residents in the La Garita Creek area are advised to remain on alert, should a flare-up occur.

Additional crews have arrived and will continue to secure the fire within its current footprint. The fire is located in a Pinion Pine / Juniper fuel type where full fire line construction is not necessary. Crews secure the fire by mopping up hot spots along the edges first, then methodically increasing their efforts to the interior of the fire. Rock bands and other natural barriers also serve as containment features.

While lightning was reported in the area yesterday, the cause is under investigation.

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#LopezFireCO update (6/12 at 9:00pm)

Excellent efforts by the initial responders on the Lopez Fire have knocked down the advance of the fire. Supported by aerial resources, ground crews have begun fireline construction and will work until it is unsafe to remain on the line. The state’s Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) mapped the fire at 88 acres at around 7:40pm.

The Incident Commander is not reporting any containment at this time. Crews will remain on the fire overnight to monitor hot spots and flare-ups should they occur. Additional hand crews will arrive in the morning to secure the control lines and natural features and begin mop-up if the fire holds within the current burned area.

The Mandatory Evacuation Order for the La Garita Creek area has been downgraded to Pre-Evacuation. Residents are advised to remain on alert, should a flare-up occur.

Initial response to the fire included the Center Volunteer Fire Department, three federal engines, 1 fire suppression module, two single engine air tankers, one large air tanker, an air attack platform, and one helicopter.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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6/12 at 7:00 pm

Size is reported at 75 acres.

New fire start on the #DivideRD#RioGrandeNF

The #LopezFireCO was reported to Pueblo Interagency Dispatch at 4:24 this afternoon. It is burning on Forest Service land approximately 10 miles north of Del Norte, CO off Forest Service Road #670.

Several engines are on-scene and numerous additional resources have been ordered, including a helicopter.

According to a Saguache County Sheriff’s Office facebook post, some evacuations have been ordered for the La Garita Creek area.

This is an emerging incident, and no additional information is available at this time. We will update when we get more from the on-scene resources.

Those returning home after wildfire related evacuations can find health and safety resources at https://slvphp.com/after-wildfire.

Wildfire can cause hazardous conditions in and around your home, even if the fire did not damage your home directly. It is common for power to be shut off for extended periods during firefighting operations. Please use caution.

Menkhaven Fire Evening Update – May 30, 2022

Great work on the ground the past two days has strengthened the containment lines. Containment is now reported at 50%. The Conejos County Sheriff will begin allowing residents that were evacuated back into their homes at 9:00 pm tonight. Conejos County Emergency Management recommends returning residents to visit https://www.foodsafety.gov/…/food-safety-during-power…, for a guide to determine what to look for after a power outage.

Highway 17 will also re-open to two-way traffic at 9:00 pm. this evening. Highway 17 will be reduced to one-lane traffic, in the fire area, on Tuesday to facilitate roadside fire suppression activities from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm. This lane closure may continue for a few days.

No aerial resources were utilized today due to the high winds. However, the Multi Mission Aircraft did conduct a reconnaissance mission and mapped the fire at 242 acres. The growth is attributed to Saturday afternoon fire behavior.

Tomorrow’s plan is for ground firefighters to continue handline construction and strengthening all control features, with mop-up operations beginning. Aerial resources are being released this evening.

Continued interior burning is expected. Smoke will be visible for several days and the public is asked to not report the smoke in this area.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect for Conejos County and the Rio Grande National Forest.

Visit the incident on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8124/

Menkhaven Fire (5/30 Morning Update):

The fire size remains estimated at 197 acres. Reconnaissance flights were unable to launch due to high winds and cloud cover.

Evacuations remain in effect for all homes north of Highway 17 between Horca and Fox Creek. The communities of Horca and Fox Creek have not been ordered to evacuate. All residents on the south side of Highway 17, between Fox Creek and Horca, are on pre-evacuation notice. A re-entry plan is being developed for when firefighters determine it’s safe to allow residents back in the area.

Highway 17 remains closed from Fox Creek to Horca. Forest Service roads #101 and 102 are also closed. Today’s plan will have ground firefighters working to finish and strengthen the hand lines, especially on the east and west flanks of the steep canyon slopes. Aerial resources may not be utilized today due to high winds. At the top, crews will continue to work with the dozers to construct and secure both the main fire and spot fires. The fire area received light precipitation and much cooler temperatures overnight. No fire spread was reported this morning. Continued interior torching and heavy fuel burning are expected.

Smoke will be visible for several days and the public is asked not to report the smoke in this area.

Visit the incident on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8124/

Menkhaven Fire (5/29 Evening Update):

The fire size remains estimated at 197 acres. Reconnaissance flights were unable to launch due to high winds and cloud cover. Evacuations remain in effect for all homes north of Highway 17 between Horca and Fox Creek. The communities of Horca and Fox Creek have not been ordered to evacuate. All residents on the south side of Highway 17, between Fox Creek and Horca, are on pre-evacuation notice. A re-entry plan is being developed for when firefighters determine it’s safe to allow residents back in the area.

Highway 17 remains closed from Fox Creek to Horca. Forest Service roads #101 and 102 are also closed. Aerial resources made significant progress today and were able to keep the fire from spreading significantly. Ground resources also made progress with line construction on both flanks on the steep canyon slopes. Monday’s operations will continue with completing handlines and securing the perimeter. Aerial resources may be limited due to forecasted high winds. Continued interior torching is expected. Smoke will be visible for several days and the public is asked to not report the smoke in this area.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Menkhaven Fire (5/29 Morning Update):

Air attack reported first thing this morning that there was no significant growth overnight. Firefighters and aircraft are actively engaged in suppression operations this morning. Five large, two single-engine air tankers and helicopters are “hitting it hard” with retardant and water. A unified Type 3 organization has command of the fire and more resources have been ordered and are on the way. There is a Red Flag warning in effect for today, just outside of the fire area, which will bring high winds and lower relative humidity. The #RioGrande NF has created the incident on Inciweb and will be posting information there as it comes available. Please note we are posting here first before updating Inciweb. Here is the Inciweb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8124/

Menkhaven Fire Update (5/28 @ 10:00pm)

Reports from the fire area have suggested that fire behavior has slightly moderated. Current estimated acreage remains at 197 acres. The area is experiencing cooler temperatures and increasing relative humidity. However, winds are expected to continue overnight with gusts predicted up to 40mph.Several air tankers were able to drop numerous loads of retardant before leaving for the night. They will return tomorrow morning, along with the several helicopters that have been ordered. Additional resources have arrived with the remainder of resources arriving tomorrow.

The evacuations of homes north of Hwy 17 between Horca and Fox Creek remains in effect. The communities of Horca and Fox Creek have not been ordered to evacuate.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

This will be the last report from us tonight unless significant activity occurs.

Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke

Issued for southern Conejos County
Issued at 7:00 PM MDT, Saturday, May 28, 2022

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected Area: southern Conejos County. Locations include, but are not limited to, Fox Creek.

Advisory in Effect: 7:00 PM MDT, Saturday, May 28, 2022 to 9:00 AM MDT, Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Outlook: Moderate to heavy smoke is expected to close vicinity to the Menkhaven wildfire located along Highway 17 in Conejos County approximately 6 miles northwest of Fox Creek. Overnight Saturday night smoke will begin to drain down the Conejos River, possibly bring periods of heavy smoke to Fox Creek early Sunday morning.

Menkhaven Fire burning on Rio Grande National Forest

Release Date: May 28, 2022

La Jara, CO — May 28, 2022 – The Menkhaven Fire was reported around 3:00 today near milepost 20 on Colorado State Highway 17 at the Menkhaven subdivision approximately 18 miles west of Antonito, CO. The subdivision was evacuated along with all homes north of highway 17 between Horca and Fox Creek according to San Luis Valley Emergency Management. The Aspen Glade campground on the Conejos Peak Ranger District has been placed on pre-evacuation standby. Highway 17 is closed in the area.

The fire is burning in a steep canyon in mixed conifer fuels with brush and aspen. The size of the fire was mapped at approximately 197 acres in the early evening by the Multi-Mission Aircraft. Numerous engines from Conejos County, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, and the Rio Grande National Forest are on scene, working to suppress the fire. Air tankers were ordered and are enroute. The helicopter that was ordered was grounded due to high winds. A Type 3 Incident Commander has assumed command. Hot shot crews and various overhead resources have also been ordered.

Forest Road #101 has been closed at Fox Creek and the forest boundary north of Horca.

The Rio Grande National Forest is in Stage 1 fire restrictions. No campfires are allowed, unless in developed recreations sites. See the full restrictions here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5143145

For information on the Rio Grande National Forest, call (719) 850-2374, visit the forest website, or follow on our Facebook page or Twitter.

Current Fire Restrictions in the SLV and surrounding areas (as of 7/2/2020).

Alamosa County: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Conejos County: Fire Restrictions automatic during Red Flag Warning.

Costilla County: Fire Restrictions automatic during Red Flag Warning.

Hinsdale County: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions: https://www.colorado.gov/hinsdalecounty

Mineral County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/mineralcountycolorado/office-emergency-management-0

Rio Grande County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions from County Road 18 west to the western county line.

South Fork Fire Rescue area: https://www.southforkfirerescue.com/fire-restrictions?fbclid=IwAR0-cC7OSsIVMVMhHHm2meMMWTuljnC4x2aBl3gmgzSkc2AewwbV_FNVitc

Saguache County: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions: https://www.saguachecounty.net   

https://www.saguachecounty.net/images/docs-downloadable-by-department/admin-downloadable-docs/2020-admin-docs/Fire%20Ban%2004-21-2020.pdf

For an updated map and information about burn restrictions in counties across the State, including the SLV, see: http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-danger.html m=1&fbclid=IwAR0FdRTN0KT5Om6tmVDOEvo325BsSDHlKaE0R8_lfaqogiOYwi0y-VtbzPM