Valley Fire Near Kirtland Forces Evacuations of Homes in Upper Fruitland

A brush fire ignited near Road 6255 in Kirtland, just south of the San Juan River and Lions Park, Wednesday afternoon, sending heavy smoke across the area and forcing law enforcement to evacuate four structures along County Roads 8320 and 8350 in Upper Fruitland, according to San Juan County Fire & Rescue.

The blaze, named the Valley Fire, started at about 3 p.m. San Juan County fire crews moved to protect structures as the fire reached 10 acres by 5:47 p.m. By 7:48 p.m., officials reported the fire had grown to 15 acres, though they did not expect it to spread further. At 5:17 p.m., officials confirmed the fire remained limited to the south side of the San Juan River.

San Juan County Fire & Rescue warned that additional evacuations could be ordered as conditions warranted. Evacuees were directed to the Upper Fruitland Chapter House and the Walter Collins Center. The Lower Valley Senior Center near Road 6668 was opened as an additional option for people leaving the area but was later closed.

Officials worked with numerous local and federal agencies to get enough crews on scene and expected the fire to keep burning through the evening. Mutual aid crews from the Farmington Fire Department, Durango Fire & Rescue, Los Pinos Fire District, Fort Lewis Mesa Fire Department and Upper Pine River Fire Protection responded but were released Wednesday night, according to San Juan County Fire's Facebook page.

"The fire will continue to burn as crews manage it," the agency posted. "You can expect smoke and fire crews working and possibly engaging in 'burnout' or 'backfire' operations."

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Wildland Fire Management assumed management of the fire Thursday morning, with additional federal resources possibly becoming involved. The cause of the fire remained under investigation Thursday.