Old La Sal residents recount losses, find resilience in the ashes of the Deer Creek Fire

The Deer Creek Fire swept through the La Sal Mountains in July with devastating force, destroying homes, damaging ranches and sparking a rare “firenado” with winds stronger than 120 mph.

The La Sal cabin was owned by Katrina Herman before and after the Deer Creek Fire, which she used as a vacation home and Airbnb before it was destroyed on July 12. Photo courtesy of Katrina Herman.

The wildfire ignited July 10 near Old La Sal, eventually burning 17,724 acres in Utah and Colorado before crews declared it 100% contained on Aug. 11. At least 13 structures — including primary residences, cabins, a Forest Service guard station and a communications site — were damaged or destroyed.

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office determined the fire was human-caused. Investigators have identified a suspe