Overview
- The Ferris Fire, which began on June 27 after multiple lightning strikes, has burned about 64,369 acres and was reported 23% contained in the July 12 incident update.
- Authorities expanded mandatory evacuations for Zones 14A and 14B and list multiple other zones at GO or SET status with Dolores, Montezuma and San Miguel counties maintaining active orders.
- California Interagency Incident Management Team 7 is leading suppression with about 1,031 personnel deployed and a mobile retardant base set up at Dove Creek Airport to support aircraft and ground crews.
- Firefighters are building primary and contingency control lines, using helicopters and fixed-wing retardant drops and conducting tactical firing while hot, dry conditions and forecast storms with lightning and gusty winds raise the risk of renewed rapid runs.
- Residents face organized check-ins at the Dolores County Senior Center, localized smoke and air-quality impacts, and officials say containment will depend on shifting winds and the success of planned indirect lines and burnout operations.