After an active Friday where the Ferris Fire crossed parts of the low-flowing Dolores River and now climbs the western rim, fire officials expect to see another day of growing activity.
The wildfire ignited a week ago and is located 15 miles northwest of Dolores.
As it gets larger, it is showing a complex firefighting situation, according to San Juan National Forest spokesman Andy Lyon.
“We expect after all the smoke has cleared out of the canyon, fire activity is going pick up again,” Lyon said. “There’s a lot of fuel in the canyon, and it’s all very dry.”
Those sporting this holiday weekend, driving through or even residents in Montezuma County facing north can expect to see large plumes akin to the day prior.
Weather, dry fuels and vastly varying terrain continue to contribute to growth, most recently mapped at 38,274 acres, as personnel exceeds to 500 firefighters.
As of Saturday, parts of the southern flank are 9% contained. This control line does not mean extinguished, it means firefighters are confident the fire will not escape a specific area, though it is not a guarantee.
Lyon said its vastness, quick-changing dynamics, and coordinating firefighters around the entire perimeter – which would take three hours to drive completely – have resulted in San Juan National Forest officials calling up another incident management team.
“Even in our expanded capacity, it is getting a bit much for us to successfully manage. We need more horsepower in that regard,” Lyon said.
The team specifically coordinates personnel logistics – everything from meals, accommodations and resources, such as providing chainsaw fuel.
Currently, no structures are burning. The fire grows west, north and moves swiftly on the northeast flank near Benchmark Lookmark Tower – which remains heavily fortified and is not burning. The east side was less active Friday.
San Juan Team 8’s charge continues to be protecting homes, private land and valuable infrastructure such as the power lines on the Dolores River Canyon side.
However, Lyon stressed, ensuring the safety of men and women ground troops fighting Ferris Fire is more pertinent.
“We have to be really mindful about that because the memorial service for three firefighters who died not very far away and not very long ago is being held tomorrow,” he said.
“This is a very challenging situation. We got to do everything we can to make sure that all these women and men can go home to their families at the end of the day,” Lyon added.
Fire growth Friday led to Dolores County Office of Emergency Management issuing an evacuation for homes located in Zone 8. Homes located in zones 7 and 9 are under the “get set” status, meaning those are not prompted to leave but should be ready to given fire conditions and proximity.
Operations for Saturday continued to see support from air tankers’ retardant drops. As was the case Friday where 14 from around the country flew in as personnel focused on the west side to protect those power lines.
“Super Scooper” aircraft rapidly descended into the McPhee Reservoir throughout Saturday; planes dropped water to keep the fire’s intensity down. This allows ground troops to charge and work closer to the flames.
“We've got lots of resources in there, working hand-in-hand with Dolores County and the Dove Creek Volunteer Fire Department to protect private property,” Lyon said.
The western rim has desert country fuels. It’s make up is low grasses, sage brush and in some places its Piñon-juniper woodlands the fire moves through.
Down in the bottom of the canyon, fuels involve mature Ponderosas and some cottonwoods. Further north, higher elevations have a concoction of Gambel oak, Ponderosas, scrub-oak, Spruces and underneath are the Aspens, in this mixed-conifer forest.
“We expect to see fire progression, its going to keep moving on the Dolores River Canyon and on the east side of the rim, because there’s a lot of fuel and not a lot of places to stop it,” he said.
Crews are using natural barriers and infrastructure like roads and meadows to suppress growth near the Glade Ranch subdivision area and on the rim.
Efforts are being heavily focused on protecting private property, and Lyon said he was unaware of any significant impacts to private structures at the time, but could not rule out that the fire had reached some private land.
As of a 4:30 p.m. update from the Ferris Fire Information Facebook page, the fire has moved onto private lands in Zone 8.
Gusty winds will reduce Saturday, at speeds of 20 to 25 mph, but the weekend remains dry.
There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms Sunday into Monday, though only spotty rain is anticipated, according to fire officials.
Lyon noted that officials are closely watching another weather phenomena: atmospheric instability causing large smoke plumes by drawing air upward and feeding the fire more oxygen.
Due to the Fourth of July weekend, Lyon emphasized the need for the public to be cautious on roads. He warned that drivers should expect heavy fire traffic and fire trucks.
“In addition to expecting a cow or a doe around the next curve, there might be a fire truck. So... slow down. We'll all be better for it,” he said.
awatson@the-journal.com
