DURANGO, Colo. — Disaster assistance measures are going into effect in Durango after Governor John Hickenlooper declared a disaster emergency Thursday for the Lightner Creek fire.
La Plata County officials who have been battling the 360-acre fire that is dangerously close to the City of Durango turned over firefighting efforts to the State of Colorado on Thursday.
As of Thursday, 170 homes had been evacuated and countless ground and air crews have been dispatched to help battle the flames, which are burning just north of Highway 160.
Evacuations were ordered for all Lightner Creek residents in Durango from the intersection of 207 and 208 up to Lightner Creek Road. Pre-evacuation notices were sent out to all residents from the intersection of 207 and 207 to Highway 160, said Scot Davis, a spokesman for the Durango Fire Rescue.
Durango IC - Attached is current operational map. pic.twitter.com/cOOChWR12P
— Durango Fire Rescue (@DurangoFire) June 29, 2017