Fire
The San Juan National Forest boasts a robust, professional wildland fire organization. We invite you to learn more about fire restrictions and active wild and prescribed fires, as well as information about our organization and firefighting resources.
Fire Information
The San Juan National Forest strives to provide our visitors and communities with quality up-to-date fire information. This page provides information on fire restrictions, active wild and prescribed fire maps, and emergency planning resources.
Fire Management
The San Juan National Forest's Fire Management program combines the elements of fire planning, and suppression as well as prescribed fire and fuels management. It also supports Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER).
Firefighting Crews and Resources
The San Juan National Forest Fire Program hosts a wide variety of resources. The lineup consists of a Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crew, a Helitack Crew, an Airtanker Base, an Interagency Dispatch Center, a Type 1 Wildland Fire Module, an Unmanned Aeriel System (Drone) program, a Fire Prevention/Mitigation/Education Program, as well as Engines, Suppression Modules, and Fuels Crews on the 3 Ranger Districts. The San Juan has multiple employees that fill critical roles on Complex Incident Management Teams that respond to incidents around the nation. Learn more by clicking the links below.
Employment Opportunities
Spotlights
Ice Fire Cause Investigation Report
A wildland fire was report on 10/19/2020, one half mile up slope from the Ice Lake Trailhead. Fire consumed about 960 acres. Helicopter rescue operations were conducted to evacuate trapped hikers on the Ice Lake Trail. "Nature elements which could have started the fire were ruled out as well as mechanical elements such s motorized trail, road or railroad...The only probable factor as to contributing to the start of the fire is human in nature."
Special Tribute to 416 Fire Firefighters
Check out the Brighter Than Flames video - A tribute to the firefighters who fought the 416 fire, performed by Music in the Mountains. The 416 Fire - so called because it was the 416th fire “dispatch” in the San Juan National Forest - lasted from June 1 to July 9, 2018 north of Durango, Colorado, and burned 54,120 acres. Hundreds of residents were evacuated from affected areas. In the end no lives were lost, nor were any homes or structures destroyed by the fire.