June 19 -- For the first time since it started June 1, the 416 fire did not increase in size Monday, authorities said.
The wildfire, about 13 miles north of Durango, stayed within Monday’s footprint of 34,161 acres as firefighters managed to extend containment to 35 percent, according to a report by Todd Pechota, incident commander.
The success may be short-lived.
“The combination of rising temperatures, decreasing relative humidity, and increasing winds has the potential to create a Red Flag Warning later this week,” Pechota’s report says.
The forecast for Tuesday calls for warm and dry conditions with temperatures in the upper 70s, the report says.
Based on the Haines Index, which gauges the potential for wildfire growth by measuring the stability and dryness of the air over a fire, the 416 fire is returning to extremely dangerous conditions after a brief respite during the rainy weekend.
The fire now measures a 6 on the Haines Index, the highest level. Winds are expected to gust up to 25 mph hour during the day Tuesday.
There are now 847 firefighters tasked to the wildfire including 18 hand crews. The firefighters are equipped with 10 bulldozers, 24 fire engines, five helicopters and two planes, the report says.
Several hotshot crews ventured into the San Juan National Forest Monday night to build containment lines near Falls Creek Ridge. Fire flare-ups are more likely to happen on exposed ridges, firefighters said.
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