DURANGO, Colo. -- Nearly 700 more homes were evacuated Sunday morning as the 416 Fire burning north of Durango nearly doubled in size overnight, La Plata County officials said in their latest update as firefighters continue to attack the blaze in southwest Colorado.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued for homes in Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort, Lake Purgatory, Silver Pick Lodge, Cascade Village, Mill Creek, as well as homes on both sides of U.S. Highway between mile markers 46.5 to 53.1. At least 675 homes are affected by the new evacuations.
U.S. Highway 550 will close indefinitely to both northbound and southbound traffic from Cometti/Mead Lane in Hermosa at mile point 32.2, to Cascade just north of Purgatory at mile point 53. Officials said evacuees will be escorted through the closure zone, adding there was also a closure point at Silverton.
Officials are asking residents to evacuate the area as soon as possible.
For up-to-date information on evacuation status, you are asked to call the La Plata County Emergency Operations Center at (970) 385-8700. You can also visit www.co.laplata.co.us.
A mandatory evacuation order was issued this morning for 675 residences in Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort, Lake Purgatory, Silver Pick Lodge, Cascade Village, Mill Creek and all residences on both sides of U.S. Highway 550 between mile markers 46.5 to 53.1. #416fire
— Liz Gelardi (@LizGelardi) June 10, 2018
An evacuation center and shelter is open 24 hours a day at Escalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane, in Durango. Evacuated residents are asked to check in at the evacuation center to receive credentials for re-entry when conditions allow the evacuation order to be lifted.
Livestock can be evacuated to the La Plata County Fairgrounds at 2500 Main Avenue. The emergency call center at (970) 385-8700 can help coordinate pick-up of livestock. Small animals are being accepted at the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango (970) 259-2847.
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Weather conditions tough for firefighters Sunday
Sunday is expected to be another tough weather day for firefighters battling the 416 Fire burning about ten miles north of Durango as conditions are expected to be dry and windy, with potential gusts up to 35 mph.
Todd Pechota of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, said the combination of weather and fuel conditions is creating significant potential for fire intensity and growth Sunday.
The fire grew overnight on the west and northwest sides, an area that is National Forest land and not anywhere near homes.
View the latest burn map of the area below:
The rapidly-growing wildfire has now burned 16,766 acres and is still only 10 percent contained, La Plata County officials said Sunday.
The fire is burning on the west side of U.S. Highway 550 on some private land and on the San Juan National Forest. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber.
Fire officials say no structures have been lost, but large-scale evacuations are still in place. Sunday's evacuees join the approximately 1,300 people who are under a mandatory evacuation in the area.
Fire officials say terrain is rough and inaccessible in many areas making the fight that much more difficult for crews on the ground.
More than 800 firefighters are now battling the 416 Fire and are being assisted by nine Type 1 hand crews, 11 Type 2 hand crews, 44 engines, five dozers, four water tenders and four Type 1, two Type 2 and two Type 3 helicopters.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
