The Chama Canyon Fire in Costilla County was nearing 100 percent containment Tuesday afternoon after burning more than 141 acres.
The San Luis Valley is currently under a fire weather watch advisory until Thursday. Relative humidity as low as 10 percent and the chance for strong winds have much of Colorado standing by.
“If it were not for the amazing fire fighters and flight crews this could’ve been a very devastating fire,” Costilla’s emergency managers said in a FaceBook post.
The National Weather Service is forecasting temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s for much of the week.
State and local fire crews descended on the fire and worked over the weekend with hotshot crews and air tankers to suppress the fire. The Department of Fire Prevention and Control managed the incident command until Saturday evening. According to the Costilla County Office of Emergency Management, crews from all over the Valley and the state assisted.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for people living in the areas near County Road L.7, County Road N.2, and north to Malcolm Road in the Poso area. Those evacuation orders were lifted on Saturday.
An attempt to reach Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez for an update was not immediately returned.
Grass, brush and juniper fueled the fire. Firefighters attacked the fire through direct and indirect suppression tactics, supported by engines, heavy equipment, and aviation resources. Both single-engine air tankers and large air tankers made rounds over the fire. Helicopters and bulldozers were also used.
A fire along Rodeo Lane in Alamosa was quickly attacked on Tuesday morning. The fire burned no more than an acre before being suppressed.
The Buttermilk Fire burning on the Wet Mountain Valley side of the Sangre de Cristo mountains was successfully contained after burning 65 acres at the base of the mountains.
The 24 Fire Burning near Fort Carson is Colorado’s largest wildfire right now. It has burned more than 7,400 acres since sparking on March 18. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire was 24 percent contained.
