Warm, drier and windy weather has fueled a 1,000-acre increase in a wildfire burning in southwest Colorado, and fire officials expect more of the same weather conditions and additional fire growth on Wednesday.
The wildfire burning about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Durango in the San Juan National Forest has now burned about 6.3 square miles (16.3 square kilometers). It remained 10 percent contained.
The fire spread to the south Tuesday, prompting La Plata County officials to issue new pre-evacuation orders for an area east of the small community of Hermosa.
#COFire Update for the #416Fire: Now 4,015 acres, 10% containment. 598 firefighters assigned. DO NOT STOP IN THE BURN AREA. Once vehicles are allowed through the north or south check points - DO NOT STOP! No... https://t.co/lbCqJlal7Y
— Colorado Wildfire Information (@COWildfireInfo) June 6, 2018
About 1,500 residents in the area have been evacuated because of the fire, which began last Friday.
The number of firefighters on the fire has grown to nearly 600.
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