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Lightning sparks fire near Piedra River

Air support is providing help

Crews were working a wildfire that broke out Wednesday night between Bayfield and Pagosa Springs in the San Juan National Forest.

Lightning ignited the KV Fire, which is headed uphill on the west side of the Piedra River and more than a mile north of U.S. Highway 160 up the First Fork Road.

As of Thursday night, the fire was estimated at 10 acres, but it was not threatening any structures, according to a Thursday night news release from Ann Bond, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service.

A helicopter, two single-engine air tankers and two heavy air tankers were providing air support on Thursday, and fire retardant is being dropped along the fire’s perimeter.

As of Thursday night, Bond said the KV fire was listed at zero percent containment. Containment means fire lines or natural fire breaks have been established along the perimeter of the fire.

A 20-person ground crew was working the fire Thursday. Today, personnel battling the fire should increase to 60 people, Bond said in a news release.

A Type II hot-shot crew and a fire module is expected to arrive today to bolster the firefighters currently battling the blaze, Bond said.

A plume from the fire could be seen from U.S. Highway 160 where the highway crosses the Piedra River, but visibility was not hampered, Bond said.

The Lower Piedra Campground has been evacuated as a precaution.

Gusty winds are expected in the area, and the fire could threaten nearby power lines and communication lines to the south. La Plata Electric Association has been notified and has personnel onsite, the release said.

Firefighters are also working six smaller fires in the Columbine Ranger District in a line stretching from Junction Creek to Electra Lake, Vallecitio and over to the Piedra River.

All fires but the KV fire were contained as of Thursday night, Bond said.

The Durango Fire Protection District is assisting with response efforts.

smueller@durangoherald.com

Jul 9, 2014
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