Durango Fire Protection District responded to a mobile home fire Tuesday evening west of Lightner Creek.

The home, at 17800 U.S. Highway 160, was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived shortly after 5:40 p.m.

“A wildland fire was surrounding the residence,” Battalion Chief Michael Krupa said in a short news release at 6:45 p.m. “Firefighting efforts were quick to control the fire and knockdown fire growth.”

The residence is a total loss. The residents, Sarah and Dustin Rosandic and their two young children, were safely evacuated with no injuries.

“But they lost their dog, Romeo,” DFPD Fire Marshal Karola Hanks said, “and we all know how hard that is.”

The Rosandics were talking to the Red Cross mid-evening to figure out what their next move will be. The mobile home itself, which was owned by Sarah Rosandic’s father, Matthew McClure, was insured, but the young couple did not have renter’s insurance on their belongings, Hanks said.

The fire started outside the mobile home, she said, near the porch and a woodpile.

“I suspect smoking as the cause,” she said. The investigation will continue Wednesday.

DFPD was on scene with 30 personnel and 10 fire engines and tankers.

Traffic delays were reported on U.S. Highway 160, which were exacerbated by the timing of the fire during the evening commute.

“I know the vegetation is still green,” Hanks said, “but with these hot days with mid-80s to mid-90s temperatures, with (relative humidity) dropping into single digits in the afternoon, unless the weather changes, it will start to brown in three to five days.”

Fire conditions are going to get a lot tougher over the next few days.

“I’m also speaking for the chief (Dan Noonan) here in asking people to please be safe with fireworks, fires, campfires, barbecue grills and smoking,” Hanks said. “That’s why we’re shooting off fireworks this year because we want people to come down and enjoy them and not set off their own.”

abutler@durangoherald.com