Wildfires have burned more than 10,000 acres on Colorado’s Western Slope

About a dozen wildfires are burning in Colorado, with most on the Western Slope, where more than 10,000 combined acres have been torched.

Little Mesa fire

The Little Mesa fire, about 15 miles southwest of Delta in the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area, has burned 3,677 acres, about 5.7 square miles, according to fire officials. The fire, sparked by lightning July 31, is burning through piñon, juniper, sagebrush and grass. More than 60 firefighters are working on the fire, which is 30% contained.

No evacuations have been ordered because of the fire.

Quartz Ridge fire

The Quartz Ridge fire, about 13 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, has burned 1,475 acres, and there is no containment on the fire, fire officials said on InciWeb on Friday. The fire started on Aug. 5 by a lightning strike. More than 130 firefighters are working on the fire, and there are no current evacuations.

The wildfire is burning in steep terrain in the South San Juan Wilderness.

Bear Creek fire

The Bear Creek fire, 23 miles Northwest of Pagosa Springs, has burned 415 acres since being sparked by lightning Aug. 1, fire officials said. More than 80 firefighters were working on the fire Friday. There is no containment. The Weminuche Valley area is under a preevacuation notice because of the fire.

Firefighters have been unable to engage the fire directly because it is burning in steep, remote terrain where there’s heavy fire fuel consisting of dead standing and downed trees, fire officials said. Firefighters continue to clear fire fuel vegetation along the Weminuche Trail.