The Dry Lake Fire is a lightning-caused fire currently burning on San Juan National Forest land in Archuleta County, Colorado. Over 120 fire personnel are assigned to the fire, which is burning in the First Notch area on the Columbine Ranger District. The lightning-caused fire started within a network of Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) trails and Forest Service System Roads that are being used as containment lines.

Smoke will be visible to travelers along US Highway 160 between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs, and to some residents in Ignacio and Archuleta County. Please watch for extra fire traffic in the area and along First Notch Road (FR 620) this week and into this weekend.

Timber, Brush, Understory

A Type 3 Incident Managment Team is coordinating firefighting efforts. Firefighters are “blacklining” along forest roads and trails to suppress the fire. Blacklining removes fuel on one side of containment lines to make them wider. This evening, smoke may settle between Yellowjacket Pass and Chimney Rock on the Highway 160 corridor, and into the Piedra River drainage toward Arboles.