Firefighters have been able to reach 60% containment on the Six Shooter Fire burning near Bondad, with the blaze still reportedly at 224 acres.
The Six Shooter Fire flared up Tuesday after a lightning strike from a storm that passed through the region Saturday. Quickly, the burn grew to 220 acres and required a robust response from ground and aerial crews.
But as a result of firefighting efforts, the Six Shooter Fire has been held to minimal growth, according to a news release issued by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe on Friday morning.
The Durango Interagency IMT 3 team will maintain management of the fire Friday, with 110 personnel working to suppress the blaze. Air resources are on standby, if needed.
As of Friday morning, the East Canyon Fire, burning west of Durango, had grown to 2,860 acres with 17% containment. Evacuation notices were lifted Thursday, but residents in the area remain under pre-evaucation warnings.
A total of 325 fire personnel are working the East Canyon Fire, which broke out Sunday on the La Plata-Montezuma county line as a result of a lightning strike from the same storm on Saturday.
According to a morning briefing, a hotshot crew Thursday started a small burnout operation leading into Cottonwood Canyon and has about 600 feet to finish Friday.
Firefighters will continue to work the entire perimeter of the fire Friday, but with winds expected out of the west, the primary focus will be on securing the south end of the fire. Winds may also be problematic on the south end in Cottonwood Canyon, according to the briefing.
No structures or injuries have been reported in either fire as of Friday morning.
Weather is not in firefighters’ favor Friday: the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning, with temperatures expected in the 80s, winds up to 30 mph and low humidity.
No precipitation is in the forecast.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
