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LAPLATA COUNTY, CO: A normally busy day for fire activity, this 4th of July started off early for the Los Pinos Fire District (LPFD). At approximately 0221 hours LPFD was toned out for a reported structure fire at 8825 County Road 310. Radio reports from dispatch of a fully involved structure and a glow in the sky at the west end of the district led Deputy Chief Aurnhammer to call for mutual aid companies while enroute.

Units arrived on scene to find a two-story residence and four vehicles totally engulfed in flames. Due to the remote location of the home and the amount of fire encountered upon arrival, the strategic priorities for this incident were life safety, water supply, and keeping the fire from extending into the wildland interface. A portable monitor, an engine mounted deck gun, and a 1¾” attack line were deployed off of LPFD Engine 81. Durango Fire & Rescue Authority’s (DFRA) Engine 1 deployed a 2½” attack line upon their arrival.

The two-story wood frame dwelling at this location was constructed around an existing single-wide mobile home. Water supply needs were met by way of a shuttle, utilizing three LPFD tankers, one DFRA tanker, as well as an additional tanker from the Upper Pine River Fire District (UPFD). The defensive fire attack stopped the forward progression of the fire and resulted in the incident being brought under control in approximately 1 hour.

A LPFD Brush Truck was also put to work controlling several small ground fires caused by flying embers. The ten occupants who were home at the time of the fire were able to evacuate the building prior to the arrival of fire units. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the LPFD at the time of this report.