Colorado 416 Fire Map: Durango Blaze Grows to Nearly 2,000 Acres, No Containment, Forced Evacuations

A blaze in southwest Colorado that is being called the "416 Fire" was discovered 10 miles north of the small city of Durango on Friday morning and had spread to about 2,000 acres by Saturday.

The wildfire spread across an estimated 1,973 acres by late morning, according to a tweet and map by La Plata County. It started in the right of way of Highway 550, which remains closed for about 10 miles, and made its way into the San Juan National Forest. The county as of the afternoon used four heavy tankers, two air tankers, four helicopters, 14 engines and seven firefighting crews, to fight the inferno.

There was no containment of the fire as of Saturday morning.

Mandatory evacuation was ordered for about 825 homes from Baker's Bridge at County Road 250, north to Electra Lake Road. A pre-evacuation notice was issued for about 760 residences from north Electra Lake to Meadow View Drive. Evacuees are being directed to Escalante Middle School in Durango, located at 141 Baker Lane.

United States Forest Service spokesman Jim Mackensen told The Durango Herald that winds on Saturday were lower than the previous day, but that fuel levels continued to pose a threat.

"It's likely we can loft embers at quite a distance," Mackensen said. "It's going to depend on what the winds do with it."

USPS Colorado reported that the fire was impacting about 540 home deliveries along Highway 550 and that mails was being held at post offices.

The county declared a state of local disaster on Friday evening.

Anyone wishing to help fire evacuees can donate money to the Community Emergency Relief Fund by the Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, at 970-375-5807. The Discover Goodwill of Durango at 1230 Escalante Drive is accepting clothing and household donations.