Wildfire Near Durango

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            

For additional information, please                                                                                           June 29, 2011

contact: Butch Knowlton at 970-382-6270                                                                             5:00 p.m.

                                                                                                                       

Purple Cliffs Fire Update at 5:00 p.m.

Durango, CO – Two Durango Fire and Rescue Authority crews and one U.S. Forest Service crew have arrived at the fire scene.  A New Air Helicopter has been dumping water on the flames for the last 30 minutes.  The fire is burning on private land approximately one-half mile north of the Animas Airpark runway.  Fire crews are reporting a low rate of spread and anticipate positive gains on the fire in the next two hours.  Smoke may be visible from the fire in the Durango area, but at this time, the fire poses no immediate threat to properties within the City of Durango.  Ground crews indicate that the fire size is approximately ¼ acre in size.

There are no structures in the immediate area of the fire and the fire is burning in a moderate growth of pinion/juniper stands.  Crews suspect the fire was started by a lightning strike, but the investigation will determine that this evening.

For up-to-date information, follow on Twitter at lpc_oem or text 40404 with the message Follow lpc_oem to get updated information by SMS message on a cell phone.

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