San Juan National Forest To Re-Open After Fire Danger Ends
DURANGO, Colo. (AP) — A sprawling forest closed because of extreme fire danger in southwestern Colorado will re-open Thursday after getting steady rain.
An announcement from the San Juan National Forest Wednesday said that up to 1.5 inches of rain fell in some parts of the 2,800 square mile forest over two days, more than typically falls during an entire average June. Meteorologists and fire behavior experts say fire conditions have moderated, and they don't expect them to return to extreme conditions before the expected arrival of summer monsoon season.
PHOTO GALLERY: 416 Fire
The rain, remnants of Hurricane Bud, put a damper on a wildfire that has burned 53 square miles north of Durango. Residents of over 2,000 evacuated homes have all been allowed back.
The forest closure started June 12.
Wildfire Resources
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Wildfire Photo Galleries
- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
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