Lightner Creek Fire evacuations lifting in stages; pre-evacuations lifted

Beginning at 8 p.m. today, residents on County Road 207 north of the intersection of County Road 207/208 will be allowed to return home. Beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, all remaining evacuated residents will be allowed to return home. This includes residents of County Roads 207 & 208 north of U.S. Highway 160. Additionally, all pre-evacuation notices are now lifted.

From LaPlata County:

Durango– Fire crews from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black have made significant progress in fighting the Lightner Creek Fire and residents will be allowed back to their homes in two stages:

• Beginning at 8 p.m. today, residents on County Road 207 north of the intersection of County Road 207/208 will be allowed to return home.

• Beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, all remaining evacuated residents will be allowed to return home. This includes residents of County Roads 207 & 208 north of U.S. Highway 160.

• Additionally, all pre-evacuation notices are now lifted. This includes:

o Highway 160, one mile west of County Road 207

o County Road 206, including Dakota and Westwood Apartments

o Rockridge Subdivision

o Rafter J Subdivision and surrounding areas

Because County Roads 207 and 208 remain closed for fire fighting operations, residents will need a Rapid Tag card in order to be allowed access. These cards are available to residents only from 1-8 p.m. Saturday and 7-11 a.m. Sunday at Escalante Middle School, 141 Baker Lane, Durango. Residents will need proof of residence to obtain a card. This can include but is not limited to:

• Driver's license or state-issued ID

• Utility bill

• Communication from landlord

Please keep the following important factors in mind:

• While residents may return home, County Roads 207 and 208 remain closed to the public.

• Only residents may enter these closed areas at this time: No guests or employees may enter until the roads fully reopens.

• Residents may enter and exit the area as often as needed, but please limit travel during peak fire operations traffic periods from 7-9 a.m. and 7-9 p.m. each day.

• This remains an active fire area, with firefighting operations under way near homes.

• Please do not disrupt fire operations or obstruct equipment.

• Do not park along roads.

• Smoke, flames and other fire activity is still visible. Please do not report.

For more information:

• For evacuation information, call the Lightner Creek Fire hotline at (970) 385-8700. The hotline will be staffed until 9 p.m. today and from 7-11 a.m. Sunday.

• For emergency assistance, call Central Dispatch at (970) 385-2900.

• La Plata County's Twitter (@LaPlataCountyCO) and Facebook (@LaPlataCounty) provide frequent updates on the #lightnercreekfire and related issues and resources.

• Sign up for emergency notifications on CodeRED at public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/BFEA18547A8D

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