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Wildfire burning in Taylor Mesa area northeast of Dolores

The Gould Fire is burning in the Taylor Mesa area northeast of Dolores. (Courtesy Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center)
Gould fire at 20 acres; strategy is full suppression

Firefighters are responding to a wildfire burning in the Taylor Mesa area of the San Juan National Forest northeast of Dolores.

The Gould Fire was reported Sunday afternoon and has grown to 20 acres, according to the San Juan National Forest public affairs officer Esther Godson.

The fire was caused by lightning from recent storms, and it is being fought for full suppression, Godson said. No structures have been threatened.

Fifty firefighters have been assigned to fight the fire. Crews from the San Juan National Forest, San Juan Hotshots, Craig Hotshots, Tava Module, Dolores Volunteer Fire Department, single engine air tankers, and Durango Helitack are responding.

Single engine air tankers dumped fire retardant on the fire Sunday, and a Type 2 helicopter dropped buckets of water.

it is considered a low-intensity fire, described by its smoldering and creeping behavior, Esther said.

Recent rains, green vegetation, improved humidity and cold nighttime temperatures have kept fire activity low.

The fire produced a lot of smoke Sunday afternoon, which was visible from Colorado Highway 145. Travelers may continue to see smoke from the fire today and are urged to use caution and pay attention to the road.

The fire is burning in remote, rugged terrain, and firefighters hiked in to the site.

They are directly engaging with the fire with assistance from aircraft, and were on scene overnight to monitor and manage fire activity.

On Monday morning, firefighters were constructing hand lines and were using the helicopter to cool the fire edge and areas of heat. Containment reports will be released as they come available.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com