Single Publication

 Plumtaw Fire Objectives: 

• To utilize risk management to reduce risks to the public and to firefighters. 
• To protect the Lost Valley of the San Juans subdivision and critical infrastructure, including the Fourmile Creek watershed, water intake, private lands, and additional infrastructure. 

Fire resources continue to make progress securing the fire perimeter, taking advantage of the cool, cloudy weather and lower temperatures. Excess resources will be released when they are no long needed to meet Plumtaw fire objectives, due to the considerable of amount of work completed since the fire started.  With extensive hose lay and water supply in place, minimal helicopter support is required by crews that are isolating and extinguishing hot spots, and two helicopters have been released.  Needed firefighters, aviation resources, and equipment will remain on the uncontrolled fire line until containment objectives are met. Engines, sprinkler kits and hose will remain in the Lost Valley of the San Juans subdivision. 
 

Yesterday’s accomplishments: 

• Containment nearly doubled, from 33% to 51%. 
• Engines and crews started rehabilitation work and continued patrols in the Lost Valley of the San Juans subdivision. 

Today’s plan: 

• Rehabilitation work will continue in the Lost Valley of the San Juans subdivision.   
• Crews will continue to work hot spots, using GPS to locate areas of heat in the north end of the fire.   
• Hose lays will be removed where there are no hot spots. 
• Slash will be chipped to eliminate fuel at the controlled edge of the fie perimeter. 

Weather: 

A cold front will start the day with drier conditions and partly cloudy skies continuing.  Breezy west winds will be present throughout the day.  
 
 

Fire start date:  May 17, 2022 

Fire size today: 721 acres  

Containment: 51%
 

Location: 7 miles north of Pagosa Springs, CO 

Personnel: 461  

Cause: With no recent lightning and no prescribed fire, the fire’s cause is under investigation. 

Management: 

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2  

10 20-person crews  

14 engines 

5 water tenders 

3 dozers  

2 helicopters  

1 skidgeon (skidder/engine) 

1 chipper 

Evacuation Information: 

Archuleta County Emergency Operations Call Center  

970/422-7084 

For the latest Smoke Outlook, visit: 

https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/1275a044