Duango CO fire
Just to alert those who are planning to visit the Durango area in the next few weeks. There is a forest fire north of town that might impact your visit. I know our plans have changed, as we had reservations at Haviland Lake NFS CG, which has been evacuated and is closed for the foreseeable future.
US 550 is closed north of town from mile marker 32 to 47. The do have an escort in place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, but that service can be suspended at any time if the fire poses a danger. So travel from Silverton (or Ouray) to Durango isn't recommended. Lots of smoke anyway.
If you were planning on taking the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR, it has been shut down until at least 6/17, when they will evaluate conditions. For several miles, the tracks are immediately adjacent to or within a mile of the fire.
I imagine Durango might be pretty smoky right now. I just looked at the traffic cameras north of Durango (http://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/default) and the fire and smoke looks pretty bad.
Other cameras showing smoke include this and this.
US 550 is closed north of town from mile marker 32 to 47. The do have an escort in place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day, but that service can be suspended at any time if the fire poses a danger. So travel from Silverton (or Ouray) to Durango isn't recommended. Lots of smoke anyway.
If you were planning on taking the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge RR, it has been shut down until at least 6/17, when they will evaluate conditions. For several miles, the tracks are immediately adjacent to or within a mile of the fire.
I imagine Durango might be pretty smoky right now. I just looked at the traffic cameras north of Durango (http://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/default) and the fire and smoke looks pretty bad.
Other cameras showing smoke include this and this.
