The 416 Fire has burned more than 7,000 acres north of Durango, forcing another round of evacuations Friday.
La Plata County officials ordered evacuations for another 304 homes near the town of Hermosa in La Plata County. Despite worries Thursday night that the fire reach structures on Friday, no buildings have burned.
This latest round of evacuations means more than 1,600 homes were placed under mandatory evacuation orders.
As of Friday morning, the total estimated acreage is at 7,180 acres and containment is at 10 percent.
Nearly 675 firefighters are in the area working to protect structures and contain the blaze.
Fire behavior closed Highway 550 Friday afternoon, but the highway is expected to reopen Saturday morning at 8 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m.
Pre-evacuation orders remain in effect for surrounding areas.
An evacuation center and shelter is open at Escalante Middle School at 141 Baker Lane in Durango. A second evacuation check-in site is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at the Silverton Town Hall, 1360 Greene Street in Silverton.
Evacuees must check in at those locations to receive resident credentials, which is important for residents to have when they return to their homes once conditions are safe.
Those who have credentials can receive food and supplies at the Durgano Food Bank at 194 Bodo Dr., Suite C, (970) 375-2672.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story)
