Single Publication

La Jara, CO — June 4, 2022 – The Menkhaven Fire is now reported to be 90% contained at 242 acres. Management of the fire was transferred to a Type 4 Incident Commander at 9:00 pm last evening. The remaining 2 engines and handcrew continue to seek out any remaining hotspots within the fire perimeter. Crews are also removing all unneeded equipment from the area. Firefighters will remain on scene for several more days as additional hotspots may be found. Smoke is expected to occasionally be seen from the fire’s interior.

The incident commanders and agency leadership from Conejos County, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control and the Rio Grande National Forest would like to thank the community for their graciousness and commitment to the management of the fire and their contribution to handling all of the other ways that it affected our community. They also want to thank of all the firefighters and responders for their hard work. Our appreciation runs deep.

This will be the final update on the fire from the Rio Grande National Forest. The Inciweb page may be updated if significant new information is made available. Find the incident here: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8124/

Menkhaven Fire Facts

·         Reported: 3:15 pm on Saturday, May 28, 2022

·         Size: 242 acres

·         Containment: 90%

·         Cause: Tree on a power line

·         Location: Approximately 7 miles west of Fox Creek, CO on Colorado Highway 17 near Cumbres Pass

·         Incident Commander – Devin Haynie (Type 4 - CDFPC)

·         Firefighters assigned: 35

·         Fuels: Ponderosa, mixed conifer (Douglas Fir, White Fir), Aspen, timber litter

The Rio Grande National Forest remains in Stage 1 fire restrictions. No campfires are allowed, unless in developed recreations sites. See the full restrictions here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5143145 37

For information on the Rio Grande National Forest, call (719) 850-2374, visit the forest website, or follow us on our Facebook page or Twitter.