Authorities issued additional mandatory evacuations Friday as the Ferris Fire, burning on the San Juan National Forest about 15 miles northwest of Dolores, continued to spread across steep terrain.
Dolores County Office of Emergency Management placed Zones 14A and 14B under mandatory evacuation around 1:30 p.m. Friday. The order covers a swath of roads and rural addresses, including:
- Dolores County Road H.6 north to CR E and CR 8.7 east to Canyon Rim
- CR E north to County Line
- Highway 141 east to Canyon Rim
Officials set up a mandatory check-in for evacuees at the Dolores County Senior Center, 8600 Road 7.2, Dove Creek. Residents in those zones must register at that center, county authorities said.
"The fire has burned 62,916 acres and was 19% contained on Friday."
Fire managers said parts of far western San Miguel County were placed on "ready" status — a pre-evacuation alert — after fire activity in the Glade Creek area. That notice is intended to give residents time to prepare should conditions worsen. Currently, fire officials reported no active burning inside San Miguel County, and the pre-evacuation notice is precautionary.
How the Ferris Fire started and how it has changed
Lightning ignited what are now referred to collectively as the Far Draw, Doe Canyon and Ferris fires on June 27. The separate starts later merged into a single incident that federal and state teams are managing. Galvanized by challenging terrain, the complex has advanced rapidly in some areas and prompted a statewide response: Governor Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency earlier this week.
On Tuesday, California Incident Management Team 7 assumed command from San Juan National Forest Team 8, a move incident leadership said was made to bring additional resources and coordination as the fire evolves.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Acres burned | 62,916 |
| Containment | 19% |
| Start date | June 27, 2026 |
| Nearest town | Approx. 15 miles NW of Dolores |
What residents should do now
Emergency officials emphasized that the new mandatory orders are enforceable and that affected residents must follow instructions for their safety. For those in pre-evacuation or "ready" status, recommended precautions include:
- Assembling an evacuation kit with personal documents, medications and supplies;
- Fueling vehicles and knowing multiple evacuation routes;
- Registering at the Dolores County Senior Center if under mandatory evacuation;
- Monitoring official county and incident channels for real-time updates.
Incident command continues to adjust tactics as weather and fire behavior change. News Block will monitor official briefings from the Ferris Fire Incident Command and Dolores County emergency officials and provide updates as new evacuation orders, closures or containment figures are released.
Community members seeking help or information should contact Dolores County emergency management or check the county's official social channels for evacuation maps and shelter details.
