KUSA – There is a Red Flag Warning in place Friday for the area north of Durango where the 416 Fire has been burning for two weeks, but Saturday could bring almost the opposite conditions: Flash flooding.
There is a flash flood watch in place for the now-32,959-acre burn area starting at 9 a.m. Saturday that will last until midnight, according to a news release from the Rocky Mountain Incident Briefing Team.
Rain accumulations could reach one inch, the release said. Fire managers are monitoring the situation with La Plata County Emergency Services.
The fire did not grow much overnight from Thursday night into Friday morning, but the rest of the day’s progress will be dependent on cloud cover, according to the news release.
If it remains cloudy, the fire will be less active. Rain is also possible for Friday afternoon.
The 416 Fire is 18 percent contained. More than 1,100 firefighters are battling the blaze, including multiple helicopters.
Residents in two areas were allowed to return to their homes on Thursday – a day after another 764 evacuations were lifted.
US 550 will stay open to escorted traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from mile markers 39.5 to 49.5.