Little Sand Fire Daily Update 6/15/12
Incident: Little Sand Wildfire
Released: 6/15/2012
DURANGO INTERAGENCY FIRE DISPATCH
U.S. Forest Service w Archuleta County w Hinsdale County w Bureau of Land Management w National Park Service w Bureau of Indian Affairs w Colorado State Forest Service
Little Sand Fire Daily Update - June 15, 2012
June 15, by order of the Hinsdale County Sheriff (in consultation with Incident Command Team Leaders, San Juan National Forest staff and Archuleta Emergency Management) residents of the Weminuche Valley (see map) were given evacuation notices. The area that is under this evacuation notice is primarily private property, including two ranches.
This evacuation notice is being issued because the Little Sand fire has reached a predetermined trigger point, and is moving in a northeasterly direction that, given the expected weather forecast, terrain and vegetation types, could mean the fire will enter the Weminuche Valley.
Firefighters have been implementing point protection measures to minimize potential impacts to private property. There will be crews working in the pre-evacuation area 24 hours a day.
As the Little Sand fire surpassed 10,000 acres, smoke was much more visible due to improved ventilation, increased winds, and the fire's movement through dense dry vegetation. As weather continues to be warm and dry people can expect to continue to see columns of smoke from the fire.
For the latest fire restrictions please check with your local counties. Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and fire restrictions can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/LittleSandClosures.
Alerts will be sent out if any significant events occur.
For Little Sand Fire Information, call (970) 444-2201.
Fire stats at a glance:
Start Date: May 13th, 2012
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 11,164
Containment: 30%
Personnel: 154
Crews: 3
Cooperating Agencies: Hinsdale County, Archuleta County, USFS, CSFS
Aviation: (2) Type 1, (1) Type 2, (1) Type 3 Helicopter
Engines: 6
Injuries: 2
Structures destroyed: 0
Structures threatened: 28 homes, 43 outbuildings
Cost to date: $3,609,889
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Websites:
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