The Tour of Carvings

Born from the Missionary Ridge Fire

In June and July of 2002, the Missionary Ridge Fire burned about 73,000 acres across the Durango and Vallecito Lake area — roughly 13,000 of them severely — and much of that worst burning happened right around the lake. Fueled by deep drought, heat, low humidity, and overgrown forest, the fire ran for roughly five and a half weeks before crews held a full perimeter. One firefighter, Alan Wyatt, lost his life.

As the valley began to recover, artist Chad Haspels turned the blackened trunks left standing into a series of carvings — a way to honor the firefighters, first responders, neighbors, and wildlife of that summer, and to mark the land coming back to life. There are 14 carvings in all. Look at the very top of each one: Haspels carved a flame into every sculpture as a dedication to the 2002 fire.

• 14 carvings
• 2002 Missionary Ridge Fire
• ~73,000 acres burned
• 39 days to contain

Where the carvings are

All 14 stops, mapped from each carving's published GPS coordinates. Tap a numbered pin for its name and turn-by-turn directions, or scroll down for the full list with photos. The loop runs roughly south to north around the reservoir.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Carving coordinates courtesy of the Tour of Carvings.

All 14 carvings

What each one depicts, in tour order. Use the “Directions” link to navigate straight to any carving.

1 1

Fireman with Shovel

Honors the fire crews from across the Four Corners who answered the call and worked long shifts to save homes and forest.

Directions ↗

No. 1 — Fireman with Shovel

2 2

Black Bear & Cubs

A sow and her cubs, for the wildlife displaced by the fire — families of every kind forced to flee.

Directions ↗

No. 2 — Black Bear & Cubs

3 3

Mountain Lion

A lion easing down a rock ledge — a nod to the big cats that range these forests and were pushed out by the burn.

Directions ↗

No. 3 — Mountain Lion

4 4

Sheriff with Radio

For the La Plata County Sheriff's Office — traffic control, evacuations, and the daily briefings that kept residents informed.

Directions ↗

No. 4 — Sheriff with Radio

5 5

Alan Wyatt Memorial

A memorial to firefighter Alan Wyatt, who died fighting the fire. It was carved from a still-rooted trunk whose top was sheared off by a fire-driven thermal vortex.

Directions ↗

No. 5 — Alan Wyatt Memorial

6 6

EMT & Eagle

An EMT beneath an eagle, for the medics and the many volunteers who joined the effort.

Directions ↗

No. 6 — EMT & Eagle

7 7

Rebirth of Vallecito

Instead of flames, a rising sun over returning trees, ground cover, and animals — the valley coming back to life.

Directions ↗

No. 7 — Rebirth of Vallecito

8 8

Firefighter with Chainsaw

A sawyer, modeled on an Oregon firefighter, for the crews who traveled from across the country to help.

Directions ↗

No. 8 — Firefighter with Chainsaw

9 9

Firefighter & Slurry Bomber

A firefighter on the line as a slurry bomber runs overhead — many agencies working as one.

Directions ↗

No. 9 — Firefighter & Slurry Bomber

10 10

Firefighter with Raccoon

A firefighter with “Rocky,” an orphaned raccoon rescued nearby who returned to the door for food all the following winter.

Directions ↗

No. 10 — Firefighter with Raccoon

11 11

Doe & Fawn

A doe and fawn, remembering the six-week-old fawn a firefighter carried to safety from under a log.

Directions ↗

No. 11 — Doe & Fawn

12 12

Lynx & Eagle

A lynx and an eagle, for the valley's wildlife — bald eagles gather along the lake in winter.

Directions ↗

No. 12 — Lynx & Eagle

13 13

Fireman with Hose

For the professional and volunteer firefighters who answered every emergency in the valley.

Directions ↗

No. 13 — Fireman with Hose

14 14

Colorado Mounted Ranger

The mounted rangers who rode rough terrain to move firefighters and supplies and to rescue people and animals.

Directions ↗

No. 14 — Colorado Mounted Ranger