RGNF: Lopez Fire burns 88 acres 

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Photos courtesy of Rio Grande National Forest  The Lopez Fire has burned 88 acres as of Monday morning, June 13, according to the Rio Grande National Forest. 

Good progress made by firefighters overnight

LA GARITA — The Lopez Fire has burned 88 acres as of Monday morning, June 13, according to the Rio Grande National Forest. 

The wildfire was reported to Pueblo Interagency Dispatch at 4:24 p.m. on Sunday, June 12. It was burning on Forest Service land approximately 10 miles north of Del Norte, off Forest Service Road No. 670. 

Due to favorable conditions and quick response, incident commander reported that the Lopez Fire did not advance past the perimeter during the overnight hours.  

No containment has been reported, but that was expected to increase Monday night, RGNF reported. The helicopter remains assigned to the fire and air tankers will only be called if needed. 

Sunday’s mandatory evacuation order for the La Garita Creek area was downgraded to pre-evacuation. Residents were advised to remain on alert, should a flareup occur.  

Initial response to the fire included the Center Volunteer Fire Department, three federal engines, one fire suppression module, two single-engine airtankers, one large airtanker, an air attack platform and one helicopter. 

Additional crews arrived overnight and will continue to secure the fire within its current footprint, RGNF reported. 

The fire is burning in a Pinion Pine-Juniper fuel type where full fire line construction is not necessary. Crews plan to secure the fire by mopping up hot spots along the edges first, then methodically increasing their efforts to the interior of the fire. Rock bands and other natural barriers also serve as containment features. 

While lightning was reported in the area Sunday, the cause is under investigation.