Little Sand fire is burning northwest of Pagosa Springs, CO | News

A fire burning in the San Juan National forest 13 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs Colo. has grown by almost 1,300 acres in the last 24 hours.

The U.S. Forest Service says thelightning-sparked Little Sand fire is now at 17,280 acres and is continuing to grow along the north fork of Sand Creek.

Authorities say people in the Weminuche Valley should expect to see and smell smoke.

Two ranches in the area have been evacuated.

Forest Service Road 644 (Poison Park Road) remains closed to non-emergency traffic until further notice.

The Piedra River Road (FR 631) to Poma Ranch is also closed at the “Y”.

However, day-use recreation areas up to Williams Lake remain open to the public. At this time, most campgrounds and businesses in the Piedra area are open.

Guides and outfitters who normally work in the area around the fire have rerouted, and are still in operation.

Any new alerts will be posted on the fire's page at inciweb.org.