US: Wildfire continues to spread in southwestern Colorado June 11

Event

Firefighters continue to battle the 416 Fire that is burning near the southwestern city of Durango (Colorado) as of Monday, June 11. The fire has spread rapidly in recent days, and as of June 11 has grown to over 8900 hectares (22,000 acres). Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday, June 7, for hundreds of residents near the town of Hermosa, and evacuated an additional 675 homes as the fire nearly doubled in size from Saturday, June 9 (local time), to Sunday, June 10. According to local officials, as of June 10, residents of over 2100 homes had been ordered to evacuate.

Officials warn that weather conditions in the coming days are conducive to the further spread of the wildfire as temperatures and winds are forecast to remain high and humidity remains low. As of June 11, fire crews reported the fire was only 10 percent contained.

Advice

Individuals in southwestern Colorado are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid the vicinity of the fire, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities (i.e. evacuation orders).