By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
Skies were clear as the sun rose over Lake Maloya Wednesday morning and only a hint of smoke could be seen on the lightning caused East Fork Fire where fire officials have declared an 88% containment on the fire.
Caley Fisher, PIO, with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control noted in her update Wednesday morning that this would be the last update on the fire which is being listed at 1680 acres. Fire departments from Las Animas County and Colfax County battled the blaze last week as the fire grew after thunderstorm winds pushed the fire east and south closer to Lake Maloya. Welcome rains came over the area on Saturday and continued into the early part of this week helped firefighters take control and put the kabash to the fire growth.
69 fire fighters from Las Animas County fire districts headed by Hoehne Fire Protection District along with New Mexico State Forestry, Colfax County Rapid Response and Raton Fire and Emergency Services helped out by aerial support have battled the blaze since last week when the fire grew from just a couple hundred acres to over 800 acres and threatened more of the Lake Maloya watershed by heading into the Segerstrom Creek drainage.
At present the northern part of Lake Maloya and the Lake Dorothy State Wildlife Area remains closed to the public and is expected to be for the near future. Fire fighters are doing mop-up operations and Raton will begin operations to mitigate runoff from the fire damaged drainages.
It is hoped that light rains will move over the area but the short term forecast is for warmer and sunny days well into next week. Time will tell how well the area will regrow hoping for good winter snow to blanket the area and provide spring moisture for new growth to begin when warm weather once again envelopes the area.
