FIRE UPDATE: Wednesday - 7/26/2023 

Due to yesterday's hot temperature and winds, there were some interior pockets within the fire lines that had burned. These interior pockets were primarily composed of dead and downed trees. The line was not threated and the fire is 100% contained, however, there will be smoke visible for the next several days. The public can expect to see fire traffic to monitor and patrol the area. 

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The Chris Mountain Fire on the San Juan National Forest, Pagosa Ranger District was reported on June 28th, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. It's located 12 miles west of Pagosa Springs, north of Highway 160 on Chris Mountain. The fire has been burning in Ponderosa Pine forest on National Forest System Lands and has not crossed onto private property. As of mid-July, smoke may still be visible from time to time, inside the fire perimeter.

Archuleta County issued evacuations for Forest Road 628, effective June 28th, 2023 but those have been lifted. No structures were lost, but some near the heel of the fire were considered threatened, prompting the evacuations. To sign up for emergency notifications, visit the Archuleta County Emergency Operations website.

San Juan National Forest issued a closure order on June 29, 2023 but that has since been rescinded. Closure order information is located on closures tab or https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/cosjf-chris-mountain-fire/chris-mountain-fire-closure

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Three (RMA CIMT3) transitioned Chris Mountain Fire back to the San Juan National Forest on July 11, 2023 at 06:00 a.m.

Timber (grass and understory), Brush (2 feet), Timber (Litter and understory)

Fuels in the fire area include timber litter under closed conifer canopy, and timber with understory in ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and true fir species open canopies. Gambel oak is the primary understory fuel in open timber stands. Timber litter in closed stands is primarily needle accumulation, branches, and rotten logs. Open sites have mixed shrubs and grass, with Gambel oak patches with a thin duff layer.  

Minimal smoldering.

12 hours: Quieting weather overnight. Inversion setup will calm and keep dense smoke in place.

24 hours: Dense smoke will likely continue into the morning, keeping temperatures cool. Some clearing may occur in the afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon.

48 hours: Thursday looks to have quiet weather.