Snow Ranch 2024

As of June 21 at 2200 hours MDT, this page will no longer be regularly updated unless there are new developments. The fire is completely contained and the area received significant rainfall on June 20 and 21.

The Chris Mountain Trail (NFSR 681) is open through the fire area. Hazards in recently burned areas may include fire-weakened trees, hot ash pits, stump holes and other uneven ground. Please use caution when traveling through the burn area.

The Snow Ranch Fire was discovered on the morning of June 11, 2024 just north of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 628 in Archuleta County, Colorado. It has been burning in ponderosa pine forest 11 miles west of Pagosa Springs. It was caused by lightning and has not threatened any values such as private property.

Firefighters employed indirect tactics to contain the fire, which burned in an area of the forest that was mechanically thinned ten years ago. The previous work on the ground supported fire managers' decision to use indirect tactics as a way to reduce the risk of catastrophic fire in the future.

Fire management changed from a Type 3 Incident Management Team to a smaller, Type 4 organization on the morning of Tuesday, June 18. it is now considered a Type 5 fire, the lowest level of fire complexity.