DURANGO, Colo. — Mandatory evacuations have been lifted for the 30-acre Ute Pass Fire burning near Durango. The blaze was at 50% containment as of the last available update.
Around 6 p.m., Ute Pass Road residents were placed under an evacuation notice. That notice was lifted around 8:50 p.m. Durango Fire Rescue says Ute Pass Road residents, along with Ute Pass West residents, remain on a pre-evacuation notice.
An evacuation map can be found on the La Plata County website.
Approximately 60 homes in the Ute Pass subdivision and several homes on County Road 237 have been evacuated, according to La Plata County. The La Plata County Fairgrounds in Durango is open for evacuees.
The cause of the fire, which has been named the Ute Pass Fire, is under investigation.
Around 3:40 p.m., Durango Fire Rescue was dispatched to Ute Pass Road in the 4000 block of CR-240. Crews noticed a smoke column from town while responding and began coordinating with state and federal resources, Durango Fire Rescue said in a press release.
When crews arrived, they found a 10-acre fire burning in grass and oak brush and spreading quickly, according to Durango Fire Rescue. As of 8:50 p.m., the fire has grown to roughly 30 acres with 10% containment.
Crews are attacking the fire through both ground and air resources. It is at the top of Ute Pass Road, according to Durango Fire Rescue, but no structures have been lost. The fire did breach the top of the ridge line towards CR-237 (Horse Gulch), but Durango Fire Rescue said it is not moving into that area currently.
A Type-2 helicopter and two large air tankers dropping water and fire retardant in the area.
More information is available at 970-385-8700.
This is a developing story and will be updated.