Single Publication

July 8, 2023, 9am 

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Three 

Matt Spring, Incident Commander  

Date Reported: June 28, 2023 

Cause: Lightning 

Size: 511 acres (no change) 

Containment: 58% (up 12%) 

Total Personnel: 466 

Location: 12 Mile west-northwest of Pagosa Springs, CO 

Special notice: A Red Flag Warning has been issued today due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. 

Current Situation:  

Firefighters on the western flank of the Chris Mountain Fire completed a significant amount of mop up, leading to an increase in containment. On the eastern flank, multiple crews proceeded working along Devil Creek, searching out and extinguishing any heat that could potentially threaten containment lines. Crews transitioned from structure protection near Snow Angel Ranch to begin suppression repair. This is a process to reverse the impacts of suppression activities. Work includes removing pumps and hose lays from the fireline and chipping brush removed while building and improving containment lines. Suppression repair also started along Forest Road 628. An excavator will assist crews on the line today to repair bulldozer lines.  

Weather & Smoke Information:  

For the fifth day in a row, a Red Flag Warning has been issued due to low relative humidity and the potential for high winds gusting to 30-35 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid 80’s. In the coming days, conditions will stay hot and dry, and fuels remain receptive to burning. Monsoons typically start in the beginning of July in this region; however, long-term forecasts show a low chance of any development in the next few weeks.  

Closures: San Juan National Forest has a closure order in effect: https://bit.ly/ChrisMountainFireClosure  

Evacuations: For evacuation information please visit Archuleta County Emergency Operations website. You may also find evacuation information on their Facebook page or call the Chris Mountain Evacuees Call Center: at 970-264-8373.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A TFR is in place. TFR link: tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_9743.html 

Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 549-8799 Hours: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094353994683   Email: 2023.chrismountain@firenet.gov 

InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-chris-mountain-fire 

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