durango fire update

CHICKDOE · 06-07-2018, 07:47 PM

we leave for durango next week with the grandkids. from what i read the 416 fire is getting worse. we will be coming in from the south so the closure on hwy 550 shouldn't affect us. but i read the train is shutdown. is anybody there and what are the locals saying?

to get there we would have to travel az hwy 377 which is also closed due to the heber fire.

just wondering if we'll be forced to make other plans.

rockfordroo · 06-07-2018, 08:04 PM

Can't speak to the fire, but maybe save Durango for another time.

Maybe go to Chama, NM and ride the Cumbres & Toltec instead of the Durango & Silverton. Both are great rides.

On the Combres & Toltec, you can start in Chama, go half way to Antonito, have a roast turkey dinner, and come back. You can also start from Antonito, go half way to Chama, have the turkey and go back to Antonito. You can also go from one end to the other (either way) and get a bus back. Or stay overnight and take the train back the next day. Lots of options.

Home - Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

Blackrock · 06-08-2018, 08:00 AM

We will be going to the Black Hilly and Yellowstone in mid July. I hope they're not on fire when we get there.

ben31 · 06-08-2018, 08:21 AM

MAP: 416 Fire Info - Closures, Evacuations - KRQE

HangDiver · 06-09-2018, 02:12 PM

The Silverton Durango train is shut down at least through June 10th (tomorrow) and maybe longer. When it opens again they will be running diesel engines to eliminate the risk of wildfire igniting from coal cinders.

When the wind and stability are right the smoke, even at my house in Salida, CO (along hwy 50) can be horrendous.

HangDiver · 06-10-2018, 09:29 AM

The Silverton - Durango Railroad has closed indefinitely, 150 employees have been laid off. Even from 100 miles away the smoke is thick enough to cut with a knife. This was the view from our front deck yesterday evening in Salida, CO.

fanrgs · 06-11-2018, 06:34 PM

As of tomorrow, June 12, the entire San Juan National Forest is closed to all recreational use, including camping and hiking. See HERE for the official notice and details.

acastillo74 · 06-11-2018, 08:27 PM

Here are our photos of the fire as we were passing just south on US 160. They were taking on June 1, just as the fire took off.

MNtraveler · 06-13-2018, 05:45 PM

Updated map and info from Inciweb. It is 13 mi. N of Durango, involves 27,420 acres and is 15% contained. It is immediately adjacent to US 550.

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_6945.jpg
Views: 83
Size: 205.7 KB
ID: 175798

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_6946.jpg
Views: 71
Size: 219.1 KB
ID: 175799

MNtraveler · 06-13-2018, 05:49 PM

I am reloading this image, because the prior version does not open for me.

Click image for larger version

Name: IMG_6946.jpg
Views: 81
Size: 212.5 KB
ID: 175801

Gsykora · 06-13-2018, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackrock

We will be going to the Black Hilly and Yellowstone in mid July. I hope they're not on fire when we get there.

We just got back from a 32 day trip with stops in the Black Hills and Yellowstone for 10 days. Yellowstone on the east side (from the continental divide down to Yellowstone Lake) still had snow over most of it. The west side was clear, green and beautiful.

We made a stop in Cortez Co on the way home and thought we might have to evac out in the middle of the night due to the fires in that area. We were going to take Hwy 184 over to Hwy 550 and down to Albuquerque but 550 was closed due to fires.

Picture is of smoke out our back window.

CHICKDOE · 06-14-2018, 06:16 PM

thanks to all for the info. we have called the campground daily. they are still open and say the fire is at least 10 miles away and moving the other direction. so we leave tomorrow. hwy 550 is open with escorts. the train is shutdown. they are refunding the ticket prices, which are not cheap! that refund will pay for all the campground fees. we're coming in from the south so the delays on hwy 550 should not bother us. the chuckwagon dinner show is still open. mesa verde is still open.

the good news is that northern arizona and southwestern colorado are expecting rain this saturday. we could sure use it! the other side of that blessing is that there has been dry lighting. it started two new fires around us yesterday. but they are being handled. some good rain would be so nice!

Reverse_snowbird · 06-14-2018, 06:42 PM

If you are looking for a train ride, try the Rio Grande Scenic RR in Alamosa, NM. https://www.coloradotrain.com/

That train heads east through the mountains.

Great Sand Dunes National Park is near there as is the Colorado Gator Reptile Park. We camped at the KOA in Alamosa which was very nice.

Can't beat the Chama RR and there is an Rio Chama RV park just north of the RR station where you can watch the train cross the bridge, if that's something that interests you.

CHICKDOE · 06-14-2018, 08:29 PM

thank you. i knew about chama and the train there but i didn't know about alamosa. we've got to get over to new mexico! so much to do! but right now it's the annual grandkid summer trip. but even that is changing. when they were younger it was fine. but now that they are growing up they have other interests like getting a job or having a boyfriend. i think grandparents are getting lower on the priority scale.

You may also like: