Journal 14: Close as It Gets: Pinehaven and the Spring Creek Fire

It came like a monster in the mountains—fast, fierce, and fueled by drought. In the summer of 2018, the Spring Creek Fire roared to life in southern Colorado, becoming one of the most destructive wildfires in state history. 

Scorched Earth and Charred Dreams

The Spring Creek Fire ignited on June 27, 2018, when a visiting camper illegally lit a fire pit during a burn ban in southern Colorado. What began as a single spark quickly grew into one of the most destructive wildfires in state history, scorching more than 108,000 acres across Costilla and Huerfano counties. By the time it was contained, 216 homes lay in ruins and another 119 were damaged.(1)   The scale of devastation was so vast that NASA’s Earth Observatory captured a striking satellite image on July 6, 2018, revealing the burn scar in vivid detail. The reveals is an eerie tapestry of scorched earth stretching across the mountain landscape.(2)  

Impact Upon Pinehaven

The Spring Creek Fire didn’t just threaten the Cuchara Valley, it came right to its doorstep. Flames pushed into the northern edge of the valley, sweeping dangerously close to Raspberry Mountain and creeping toward the cabins of Pinehaven. Even today, if you walk to the dead end of Road 401 and glance up to the left, the blackened silhouettes of charred trees still mark the ridge as a silent reminder of how close the fire came. Smoke curled into the sky, ash drifted through the air, and the village braced for the worst. Residents were warned: if the containment lines didn’t hold, Cuchara could be next.

Thanks to a blend of coordinated firefighting efforts, strategic fire breaks, favorable weather shifts, and, many would add, a whole lot of prayer, Pinehaven was ultimately spared. But it didn’t escape untouched. The community felt the fire’s presence in powerful, unforgettable ways:

• Mandatory Evacuations. On July 1, 2018, evacuation orders were issued for Pinehaven and neighboring communities.(3)    Fire maps showed a menacing wall of flame approaching Raspberry Mountain, its path aimed squarely at the Pinehaven area.(4)  
• Too Close for Comfort. The fire moved fast blistering terrain and reaching the very outskirts of homes. News crews took notice. KOAA News aired a feature titled “Close as it gets: Saving Cuchara from the Spring Fire,” capturing the razor-thin margin between survival and loss.(5)  
• Highway Lockdown. The blaze forced the closure of Highway 160 and sections of Highway 12, the main arteries into the valley. Travel ground to a halt, and the scenic mountain roads that normally welcomed tourists became fire corridors. For a tense stretch of days, the village of Cuchara was all but cut off.
• Choking Smoke and Ashfall. Even from a distance, the fire made its presence known. Smoke blanketed the valley, drifting through Cuchara’s streets and cabins.(6)   Ash fell with the wind, leaving a gritty layer over decks, cars, and memories of summer days interrupted.

Though the flames stopped short, the fire left a permanent imprint on the land, on the air, and in the collective memory of those who lived through it.

A Battle Won by Bravery

Firefighters employed multiple tactics to protect the village, including constructing fire lines, conducting back burns, and utilizing aerial retardant drops.(7)  These efforts, combined with favorable shifts in weather conditions, were instrumental in preventing the fire from engulfing the entire community. 

Despite these measures, the fire caused substantial damage to the surrounding environment, leaving behind a landscape of charred trees and altered terrain.(8)  The aftermath posed additional challenges, such as increased risks of flooding and difficulties in rebuilding infrastructure. However, the resilience and coordinated response of firefighting teams were crucial in safeguarding Cuchara from complete devastation during the Spring Creek Fire.

Forged in the Fire

Out of the smoke and scorched earth, some positive outcomes emerged that helped strengthen the Cuchara Valley region. 

• Increased preparedness. Pinehaven’s HOA helped cabin owners become more aware of proactive mitigation efforts, such as clearing defensible space and getting more involved in our Firewise program.
• Stronger community bonds. The experience increased our need for coordinated efforts, collaboration, and togetherness. 
• Improved communication. Pinehaven’s HOA became more intentional in communicating with cabin owners about mitigation opportunities in our common areas.
• Intentional collaboration. Pinehaven and Cuchara have built closer ties with the U.S. Forest Service, Colorado State Forest Service, Firewise program staff, forest services, prevention organizations, and grant providers for mitigation efforts. 

The Spring Creek Fire was an ordeal, but for Cuchara and Pinehaven, it was also a turning point. It ignited a spirit of collective responsibility, spurred practical improvements, and deepened community identity.(9)

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Footnotes

Parenthetical numbers in the text (e.g., 5) correspond to the sequentially numbered citations listed below.

1. Grace Hood, “In The Spring Creek Fire’s Wake, Heartbreak Before A Long Recovery,” Colorado Public Radio, September 13, 2018, https://www.cpr.org/2018/09/13/in-the-spring-creek-fires-wake-heartbreak-before-a-long-recovery/.

2. NASA Earth Observatory, Fires in a Dry, Hot Colorado Summer, July 13, 2018, accessed August 1, 2025, at https://www.visibleearth.nasa.gov/images/92415/fires-in-a-dry-hot-colorado-summer/92416w?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

3. Valley-Wide Employee a Firefighter on Spring Fire,” Valley-Wide Health Systems, https://valley-widehealth.org/valley-wide-employee-a-firefighter-on-spring-fire/.

4. Brian Admin, “Kevin Herndon,” "The World Journal", July 12, 2018, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/kevin-herndon/.

5. Site Administrator. 2018. “Close as It Gets; Saving Cuchara from the Spring Fire.” KOAA News 5, July 9. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.koaa.com/news/2018/07/09/close‑as‑it‑gets‑saving‑cuchara‑from‑the‑spring‑fire/.

6. Tilton, Morgan. 2018. “Wildfires in Colorado Impact Outdoor Recreation.” REI Co‑op, July 10. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.rei.com/blog/news/wildfires-in-colorado-impact-outdoor-recreation. 

7. Brian Admin, “Kevin Herndon,” "The World Journal", July 12, 2018, https://worldjournalnewspaper.com/kevin-herndon/.

8. Spring Fire 2018, photo post on July 15, 2018, Facebook, accessed June 5, 2025, https://www.facebook.com/SpringFire2018/posts/pfbid0jqcvYjkWhDQy4t64thDNoXjLgDDdRdaquMTySBsv85xdoUANdbLcaeocx6Gt1S8l. 

9. Author’s note: In preparing this article, the author used AI-assisted tools for research support, proofreading, fact-checking, and stylistic refinement. The narrative, analysis, and historical interpretations are the author’s own, and responsibility for accuracy rests solely with the author. The blog’s research methodology statement is available at:

https://cabininthepinescuchara.blogspot.com/2019/03/methodology-sources-and-use-of-research.html