Upper Pine River Fire Protection

05/28/2026

Upper Pine has several rescue specialist and one former Navy Diver. A few years ago a summer drowning at Vallecito put a boat on our radar screen, this was followed by a rescue at Lemon and this spring a near miss at Vallecito before the Marina was in. The crews wanted a zodiac that could be deployed quickly and carried to Lemon. Captain Panawa finds a zodiac at Brighton Fire north of Denver drives up and picks it up. Brighton Fire throws in a ton of extra equipment, trailer, motor, and zodiac $4500. This week they are going through the operator and rescue boat training. The boat will be at Upper Pine station 62 at the dam available for immediate deployment to Vallecito or Lemon. Vallecito and Lemon are clean/cold water reservoirs the record for cold water submersion is 83 minutes, if the water is greater than 43 degrees you have likely 30 minutes; if under 43 degrees you have a chance up to 60 minutes. The is an old saying in EMS “Your not dead until your warm and dead”. Hypothermic cardiac arrest is a special circumstance worthy of an all out effort.

05/27/2026

THE LEAK HAS BEEN CONTROLLED. Shelter in place lifted. Thank you for your cooperation.

There is a shelter in place for a half mile radius around Louisiana and Wild Horse Drive in Bayfield due to a hit natural gas line. Black Hills and Upper Pine units are on scene

05/26/2026

EMS Week ended on Saturday May 23rd. Each year we select an Advance Life Support Provider, Basic Life Support Provider and the Medical Director makes a selection of the Medical Directors award. The year, Jenny Yates was the ALS Provider of the year for excellence in education, attending a year long quality improvement program and being the lead on new protocols. Mason Dyar was the BLS provider picking up the slack for the EMT class, leading the mental health initiative at Upper Pine, securing two grants and speaking at LaPlata County’s Su***de Prevention seminar at Fort Lewis College. Jon Haner was selected by the Medical Director for clinical performance on specific calls. Congradulations to all well deserved and very hard work.

05/25/2026

Upper Pine has several employees who have served our country. A former Marine and Army Helicopter pilot are working today, Memorial Day. Several other former Marines and Navy Recon covered this weekend and we THANK them for their service along several others whose skills as an Army Ranger and Former Marine officers made them highly desirable employees at other agencies. They have a heart for service and keep giving to this community and the country.

05/23/2026

It was EMS Week May 17th to 23rd and rather than show our appreciation to the crews with cups or t-shirts we brought in an artist. Daniel Sundahl is a retired firefighter/paramedic who has managed to capture our profession in a medium of unique art. He is also a very accomplished mental health counselor and gave two lectures to the shifts while here. Daniel spent some time with the crews staging scenes and making memories. We asked crews to show up with family or spouses for a group photo. The crews that serve the Pine River valley will ultimately want to look back on the great work they do and people they shared their time with. They provide some of the best emergency medical services in the State of Colorado. You can see Daniel’s work at: https://www.dansunphotos.com

05/22/2026

Today was the annual fly in at the Durango Tanker Base. Tucked away east of the main terminal many in the four corners do not know how invaluable this is and the aircraft they provide to the local fire districts. Upper Pine crews getting briefed from the local air crews from the Mesa Verde and Durango Heli-attack to the very important air attack platform and their personnel. Thanks to the USFS, NPS, DFPC, FFL and tanker base staff.

05/21/2026

It may seem like the weather is nice and cool with all the green coming in, but the science tells a different story. These restrictions go into effect tonight at midnight. It takes all our efforts to prevent destructive wildfires in our districts. Please follow the guidance below and help protect our communities.

05/21/2026

FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN EFFECT FRIDAY, MAY 22

Full order with high resolution maps: https://tinyurl.com/2a8je4zt

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the San Juan National Forest PROHIBIT:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes), except if it is in:
- A permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the U.S. Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas);
- A device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off used in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device; or
- A fully enclosed metal stove with a chimney at least five feet in length and a mesh screen spark arrestor with a screen opening of a ¼ inch or less used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 10 feet of the device.

2. Using an explosive.

3. Smoking is prohibited, except in an enclosed vehicle, building, or a developed recreation site.

4. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame, except if in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of Class 2A) is kept with the operator.

Full news release: https://tinyurl.com/y9xabaje

La Plata County Government Montezuma County Sheriff's Office Durango Fire & Rescue San Juan County Sheriff's Office, Colorado Office of Emergency Management, San Juan County Colorado Archuleta County, CO Sheriff's Office Archuleta County The Original What's Up? Dolores, Mancos, Cortez! Visit Durango Town of Dolores Dolores County Sheriff's Office Dolores Outfitters Dolores Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center

05/17/2026

Montana has a great how to that’s is designed to prevent chains that start a fire

05/17/2026

This has happened over the last few years on US 160.:Take some time and secure them right

🔥 Don’t Let Your Chains Spark a Wildfire!