KUSA – Though 163 new homes are under pre-evacuation orders due to the 416 Fire Wednesday night, another 764 opened to re-entry, according to the La Plata County government.
U.S. Highway 550 is also scheduled to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for all motorists. Law enforcement will provide escorts to cars.
This good news comes on the heels of the fire growing to 27,420 acres on Wednesday as containment held at 15 percent. 1,029 firefighters are assigned and fighting the fire. Much of growth from Tuesday into Wednesday has been from burnout operations.
In all, 163 homes and two businesses have been placed under pre-evac orders along the west side of County Road 203 from Trimble Lane south to its intersection with Highway 550, according to the La Plata County government.
The homes were placed under pre-evac notice due to the weather anticipated in the coming days, including thunderstorms and high winds.
The fire has been raging for nearly two weeks, but not a single home has been lost and no injuries have been reported.
Two areas of evacuated homes have reopened to residents, including the 184 homes in San Juan County and 560 homes and 20 businesses in Rockwood, Tamarron and Glacier Club, the county government said. All residents need to know that just because the areas have reopened, they'll still be under pre-evac orders. Residents were allowed to return home from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.
People who live in the area must show their credentials, as law enforcement is controlling the entrances to the subdivisions. Credentials can be picked up beginning Thursday at 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Escalante Middle School in Durango and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at PJ's Market in Durango as well.
Homes in the 1000 block of County Road 204 at Sailing Hawks - 44 in all - are under pre-evac notice as well, La Plata County government said.
All residents, as well, will be subjected to the limited opening of 550: it will remain open only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 550 closed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
The northern closure point of 550 has moved from Molas Pass to mile marker 49.5 just north of Purgatory and the southern closure remains at mile marker 32, the county government said. C.R. 203 remains closed north of Trimble Lane.
It's important to note that just because 550 has been announced for opening does not mean it will stay that way; the road could close at a moment's notice.
“I ask the public to continue to be flexible knowing our goal is to open the highway and allow people back to their homes,” La Plata County Sheriff Sean Smith said.
What’s been dubbed the 416 Fire started burning on June 1 approximately 10 miles north of Durango. In the days since, multiple evacuation orders have been issued and 1,232 firefighters have been assigned to both this and the nearby Burro Fire.
What caused the 416 Fire remains under investigation.
Despite the national attention the fires have received, Gov. John Hickenlooper held a news conference Wednesday morning emphasizing that Durango remains “open for business” and the worst thing tourists can do is cancel their trips to the region.
Among the resources ordered to battle the 416 Fire are nine Type 1 hand crews, 55 engines, three dozers, eight helicopters and four water tenders.
The entire San Juan National Forest remains closed to the public due to firefighting activity.
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