Stoner Mesa Fire continues to grow

DOLORES, Colo., Aug. 6, 2025 — The Stoner Mesa Fire has grown to just over 500 acres. Fire behavior is active this afternoon and growth is expected to the east. The fire is burning in mixed conifer with substantial dead standing and down trees. Fire behavior has been extreme in the afternoon with group tree torching and spotting ahead of the main fire. The Dolores Ranger District is working closely with the San Juan Type 3 Incident Management Team to develop a full suppression plan for this remote incident. Forest and fire management personnel took multiple helicopter flights this morning and afternoon to inform fire strategy. Tomorrow, the San Juan Interagency Hotshot Crew will be assessing options to engage the fire on Taylor Mesa and crews will begin assessing structures far in advance of the fire out of an abundance of caution.

“The Stoner Mesa Fire is going to be with us for a while,” said Dolores District Ranger Nicholas Mustoe. “The forest type and rugged terrain limit what tactics can be effective. We will take every available action to limit the footprint of the Stoner Mesa Fire when and where we can be successful.” In the near term, smoke will be the greatest impact to local communities. Learn about how to protect yourself and your family from the hazards of wildfire smoke from Fire Adapted Colorado here.

The Stoner Mesa Fire was lightning-caused and first reported on July 28th by Benchmark Lookout. During the next several days, helicopters dropped 7,000 gallons of water on the fire and inserted firefighters. The crew worked water into the fire until lightning forced them to return to their helicopter. Heavy dead and down trees, standing snags, and frequent daily lightning posed significant risk to firefighters on the ground. With firefighter safety in mind, fire managers made the decision to utilize aircraft for patrol. The fire area received intermittent rain and no smoke was visible on the fire for four days until, on August 5th, the fire experienced significant growth.

At this time there have been no changes in evacuation status from the Dolores County Sheriff's Office. Evacuated areas are on San Juan National Forest only, and include Stoner Mesa Road (FS Road 686), Taylor Mesa Road (FS Road 545) as well as all roads branching off, Mavreeso Campground, Burro Bridge Campground, and West Dolores Campground. Thanks to Dolores and Montezuma County Sheriffs for their fast effective work evacuating visitors from the fire area on the San Juan NF. There are no anticipated closures to Hwy 145 and CR 38.

For official fire information, please visit the Stoner Mesa Inciweb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cosjf-stoner-mesa-fire or visit the Stoner Mesa Fire Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579090354469 

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

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