Governor Jared Polis has issued a disaster emergency declaration for the Oak Fire burning just west of Pagosa Springs, north of Highway 160. The declaration comes after the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office requested state assistance, citing that the fire’s rapid spread had exceeded local firefighting capacity.
As of last night, the Oak Fire had burned 150 acres, with mandatory evacuations in place.
Meanwhile, the Lee Fire—burning in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties—has grown to over 113,000 acres, making it the sixth-largest wildfire in Colorado history. It began on August 2 and has damaged or destroyed several structures, though no fatalities have been reported.
In Chaffee County, Sheriff Andy Rohrich has issued Stage I fire restrictions for all unincorporated areas, including Buena Vista and Poncha Springs.
Restrictions include:
- No campfires in dispersed campsites (allowed only in developed campgrounds/picnic areas)
- Allowed: stoves, lanterns, cooking/heating devices with on/off switch
- Prohibited: charcoal grills, hibachis, wood stoves (except on private land)
- Smoking only in enclosed vehicles/buildings or developed recreation sites
- No explosive targets or agricultural burns
Note: U.S. Forest Service and BLM lands are not yet under restrictions.
