Information Officers: Ted Pettis, Lora Schmillen, Megan Mast Information Center 970-240-2049 Information Center Hours 7am-9pm Incident: This wildland fire started on 6/15/2013; cause was lightning. Location: 30 miles southeast of Montrose, CO. Jurisdiction: Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, & Gunnison National Forests Cooperating Agencies: BLM, Gunnison County, Montrose County Incident Commander: Rick Kusicko, Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team (IMT). The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at the Columbine Middle School in Montrose. Current Size: 447 acres Containment: 40% Management Strategy: Full suppression Structures Threatened: 20 residences, 15 commercial properties, and 5 outbuildings Structures Lost: none The NR IMT will be transferring Command to a local Type III Team on Friday, July 5th at 6:00am) Status: Fire activity has been very light lately; burning in spruce/fir fuels with some smoldering. Steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain (primarily below the Rim) with heavy dead/ down fuels that are extremely dry has made suppression efforts very difficult. The high elevation also affects crew and equipment efficiencies. Structure protection has been completed and engines are continuing to monitor and check equipment in the area. Crews have completed all fireline activities and mop up on the High Mesa. The fire spike camp will be relocated near Silver Jack Reservoir by Friday. Gunnison County Road maintenance will continue to road blade, work on dust abatement, and apply mag-chloride to the Little Cimarron Rd. Please expect extended delays and call Gunnison County for more information. Yesterday’s Activities: Crews completed all mop up operations on the High Mesa. Current Resources: 1 20-person crews, 4 engines, 1 water tender, and 2 helicopters. Total personnel: 218. Today’s Activities: Crews are warned to watch for passage of storm cells that can cause erratic winds with potential lightning and consequently extreme fire behavior. All areas in the High Mesa will be in patrol status today. One crew will be stationed at the bottom of the southwest portion of the fire near Silver Jack Reservoir and will take necessary suppression actions as needed. The inaccessible areas will be monitored visually by air and any flare-ups are being cooled off with helicopter water bucket drops. Restrictions/Closures: The recent „Closure Order‟ by the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests has been revised starting June 29, 2013. The revision opens the Big Cimarron Road #858 to the Silver Jack reservoir to the junction of Big Cimarron Road #863 and service road #858, the West Fork Road #860 south of Owl Creek Pass; and Road #868 from the Alpine Guard Station to the Big Blue trailhead #232. All the other prohibited uses of National Forest System lands (Restricted Area), roads and trails that access the East Fork Fire area are still in effect. The Silverjack, Big Cimarron, and Beaver Lakes Campgrounds are open. A road “Closure Order” for the BLM‟s adjacent spur roads has been issued. The closure includes the High Mesa Road (3001) and spurs roads (3001a-i) off that road. It also includes the High Mesa Trail, and the Big Blue Ridge Road (3006) and the spur/branch roads (3006b-c) off that road. Please contact: Gunnison Field Office for more information at 970-642-4940. On June 24, 2013, the Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions due to high fire danger and ongoing fire activity. The prohibitions relate to campfires and smoking on National Forest System lands in the area. In addition, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect surrounding the East Fork Fire area. Please remember fire-works are never allowed on Forest Service lands! For more on the closures and restrictions please go to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest website (fs.usda.gov/gmug). The Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail are closed from Stoney Pass to San Luis Peak due to fire activity on the Papoose Fire located in Mineral County. For Wildfire information on how to protect your home and family go to: firewise.org If anyone wants to help or thank firefighters, contributions can be made to: National Wildland Firefighters Foundation which provides support for the families of injured firefighters: wffoundation.org For further Fire Information, visit: inciweb.org; Select “East Fork Fire” East Fork Fire email address: coloradoeastforkfire@gmail Or call the Forest fire hotline 970-874-6602. May you have a wonderful 4th of July celebration!
Posted on: Fri, 05 Jul 2013 12:25:26 +0000
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