Wildfire burning at Colorado ski resort weeks before scheduled opening
A blaze broke out in the San Juan National Forest near a Colorado ski resort Wednesday, just weeks before its scheduled opening.
A Thursday morning update from Durango Fire & Rescue indicated that a blaze dubbed the “Needles Fire” is burning near Lift #2 at Purgatory Ski Area outside of Durango, Colorado. The wildfire is currently 6 acres in size with 30 percent containment. The cause of the blaze has yet to be determined.
According to a Wednesday report from the Durango Herald, the fire was burning near structures, but structures were not immediately threatened. Additional details about whether or not the fire has damaged any part of the resort were not included in official press releases from local authorities.
Resources on scene include multiple fire engines, suppression modules, two helicopters, and an “Air Attack.”
Closures on surrounding roads haven’t been put into place, but visitors have been instructed to exercise caution and to avoid the area if possible.
Purgatory Resort is 25 miles north of Durango, with a scheduled opening date of November 21 for the 2020-2021 season. The resort is home to more than 1,500 skiable acres.
See where the resort is located on the map below:
File photo. Image will be updated when one is made available. Photo Credit: PetePattavina (iStock).
