US 550/416 Fire Update : US 550 Closed from Hermosa to Cascade

June 11, 2018 - 416 Fire activity increases on west side of highway

The 416 fire burns just north of this closure point on US Hwy 550. Currently the road is closed from Hermosa (MP 32, just north of Durango) to Cascade, just north of Purgatory (MP 53).   

SOUTHWEST COLORADO ― US Highway (US) 550 is closed from Hermosa to Cascade. The closure is in place for both northbound and southbound traffic from Cometti/Mead Lane, in Hermosa at mile point (MP) 32.2, to Cascade just north of Purgatory at, MP 53.

US 550 will remain closed until further notice. Travelers may want to consider the westerly alternate route through Colorado Highway 145, Lizard Head Pass. (map attached)

La Plata County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residences and businesses in Purgatory/Durango Mountain Resort, Lake Purgatory, Silver Pick Lodge, Cascade Village, Mill Creek as well as all residences on both sides of US 550 between Needles and Cascade MPs 46.5 to 53.1.

The Fire Incident Management Team has advised that there is a red flag warning in place from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., today, Sunday, June 10. Weather will be a concern as critical fire weather conditions are expected. Southwest to west winds will be strengthening across southwest Colorado.

The “416 Fire” continues to burn on the west side of US 550, about 10 miles north of Durango. The fire has grown to more than 16,700 acres and is 10% contained. More than 800 firefighters are battling the blaze on the ground and with aircraft.

416 FIRE INFORMATION RESOURCES:  

CDOT ROAD INFORMATION RESOURCES: