Journal Staff Report

SMOKE AND flames are visible looking across Beaver Creek on Thursday. The lightning-sparked fire, which has grown to approximately 100 acres, spread smoke throughout Montezuma County on Wednesday. The blaze is being monitored for resource benefits by firefighters.

The Beaver Creek fire grew from 25 acres on Monday to 100 acres by Wednesday morning.

The lightning-caused fire is located 10 miles northeast of the town of Dolores in the Beaver Creek drainage, west of the Dolores Norwood Road (Forest Development Road 526) and east of FDR 238.

To control the spread of the blaze, firefighters burned along the rim of the canyon from Road 238, according to the Forest Service.

Further control lines may be put in, but "everything is under control," officials reported on Wednesday.

Due to steep canyon terrain and safety concerns, firefighters will not try putting out the fire within the canyon, and are monitoring it for "resource benefits."

The fire has not caused any road closures, and according to Todd Gardiner, the fire’s incident commander, the fire is currently burning with low intensity, occasionally reaching the crowns of trees in the piñon-juniper forest, but mainly burning Gambel oak.

Three federal fire engines and 10 firefighters are monitoring the fire.

Smoke settled in Rico on Tuesday evening, and spread to Cortez by Wednesday. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is warning residents that smoke may reach levels endangering public health. Residents in low-lying areas such as the Dolores River Canyon, West Dolores Canyon, and surrounding areas may be more affected.

The state cautions all persons with lung or heart diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, or angina to stay inside, with doors and windows closed. Avoid exertion and exposure to tobacco smoke.

If smoke settles in your area, everyone should avoid vigorous outdoor activity, and if you have coughing, headaches, chest tightness, or pain, wheezing or whistling in your chest, difficulty breathing or nausea, contact your health-care provider.