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Wildfire breaks out in San Juan forest in Dolores County

The Buster Fire is burning about 10 miles north of McPhee Reservoir in Dolores County. A Type 2 federal wildfire crew is fighting the blaze.
Buster Fire is 3 acres; federal Type 2 crew is fighting blaze

Federal fire crews are fighting a wildfire in the San Juan National Forest about 10 miles north of McPhee Reservoir in Dolores County.

The Buster Fire was discovered Thursday southeast of Narraguinnep Canyon, said Keith Keesling, Dolores County emergency manager.

As of Friday morning, the fire was at 3 acres, up from 1 to 2 acres Thursday. It was burning in mixed oak brush and pine, with fairly low fire behavior, he said.

A Type 2 crew from the U.S. Forest Service stopped the fire’s growth overnight.

The crew includes two engines and 40 firefighters. A Type 1 heavy helicopter is being used to drop water on the blaze. Water is being drawn from area ponds.

No structures were damaged or threatened, Keesling said, but that could change if the fire made a run. Fire hazard is considered high because of dry fuels, and hot and windy conditions.

The fire is a couple of miles from the Glade Ranch subdivision, but no evacuations orders have been issued, Keesling said.

The fire is burning along the road to the subdivision, which has additional egress to the north.

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A natural firebreak exists on the east side of the fire, and crews are cutting fire lines as it works to contain the blaze.

“The plan is full suppression and hopefully containment by today,” Keesling said. “We’re paying close attention, and it has been a good response.”

The cause of the fire was unknown, he said. A federal fire investigator has been dispatched to analyze the potential cause.

The fire is due south of Narraguinnep Spring east of County Road 27/Forest Road 414.

A rainstorm arriving today is expected to bring relief, but officials are concerned that lightning could spark wildfires.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com