Western Slope Fire Wire

07/26/2024

UPDATE 7-29-24
North Face Fire update on 7/29 at 8:00pm update: The North Face Fire in Mesa Verde National Park remains 22 acres and is now 40% contained. Fire activity was minimal today with light smoke production as fuels inside the fire’s perimeter continue smoldering. Tomorrow’s weather is anticipated to be warmer with highs in the low 90s and the potential for afternoon winds around 20 mph. Crews will continue suppression efforts again on Tuesday.

UPDATE 7-28-24 from WatchDuty
On Sunday, crews continued efforts to contain the 22-acre North Face Fire in Mesa Verde National Park. Despite high temperatures and gusty winds through the afternoon, the fire did not grow. Smokejumpers and engine crews were again assisted by bucket drops from Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s Montrose Helitack. The limited number of resources dedicated to the fire have made good progress in constructing fire line to check the fire's spread.

Conditions on Monday are expected to be similar to today, with temperatures in the 80s and the potential for winds again in the afternoon. Crews will continue their efforts on Monday.

Mesa Verde National Park remains open. Park Point Overlook and Main Road pullouts, which were closed for fire operations on Friday, will reopen on the morning of 7/29. As always, drive slowly on park roads and give space to fire vehicles and crews in the park as they continue to work.

UPDATE: 7-27-24
Smokejumpers and fire crews/staff from NPS, Bureau of Land Management - Colorado, BIA, and local resources continued working on the North Face Fire today. Crews are still in the field and are making good progress with assistance from Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control's Montrose Helitack, a large air tanker, and 2 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT). The fire was mapped this afternoon at 22 acres.

A small fire is burning on the hillside of Mesa Verde. The fire has been reported, dispatch has been notified, and emergency resources are responding.
Please do not call dispatch about this fire. Answering multiple calls about the same fire puts a lot of stress on dispatchers who are still trying to handle other calls. Thank you for understanding!

07/26/2024

07/22/2024

Rifle - There is a new brush fire on the right shoulder of 1-70 westbound and in the center median. It is currently estimated at 20 acres.

1-70 is currently closed in both directions in the area of the fire. I-70 Westbound closed at the West Rifle exit (mile marker 87). 1-70 Eastbound closed at the Rulison exit (mile marker 81).

Members of the Garfield County Sheriff's Office, Colorado River Fire Rescue, Grand Valley Fire Protection District, and the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are on scene.

07/07/2024

Grass Fire has been reported and responded to in the Grass Mesa area(south of Rifle)
Thank you.

07/06/2024

Today is the 30th anniversary of the loss of 14 firefighters on Storm King Mountain, near Glenwood springs.

On July 6, 1994, fourteen wildland firefighters gave their lives on Storm King Mountain during the South Canyon Fire near Glenwood Springs. Twelve firefighters were unable to outrun the blaze and perished. Two more helitack firefighters were also killed as they tried to flee to the northwest. Today marks the 30th anniversary of that event, and we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice:

Prineville Hotshots: Kathi Beck, Tamera Bickett, Scott Blecha, Levi Brinkley, Douglas Dunbar, Terri Hagen, Bonnie Holtby, Rob Johnson, Jon Kelso
Missoula Smokejumper: Don Mackey
McCall Smokejumpers: Roger Roth, Jim Thrash
Helitack: Robert Browning, Jr., Richard Tyler

06/22/2024

Garfield County - There is a new start wildfire on the western side of Garfield County that was first reported at 10:47am. It has been named the Baxter Fire.

This fire is located just north of the Garfield/Mesa county line, and about a half mile west of Baxter Pass Road.

Numerous ground and air resources are currently engaged and fighting the fire. As of 3:37pm, the fire is approximately 51 acres, and growing.

06/21/2024

This occurred here in Parachute, CO. May they all continue to rest in peace.

06/17/2024

Mack (Mesa County) - Fast moving wildfire, estimated at 40 acres, in Rabbit Valley in the area of the Colorado/Utah line.

Lower Valley Fire District and the BLM are responding to this fire. Air resources have been ordered.

This fire will be named the Rabbit Valley Fire.

06/16/2024

*Wildfire in Beaver Canyon -- Please do not call dispatch
There is a wildfire burning in the Beaver Canyon by Craig Point off Highway 145 about 7 miles SE of Norwood and 25 miles NW of Telluride. The “Gut Fire” is approximately one acre in size. Norwood Fire and the US Forest Service are on scene, and federal resources are inbound. The fire is believed to have started by a lightening strike. You may see smoke in that area, but there’s no need to call dispatch.

06/16/2024

Major Incident

Larkspur (Douglas County) - Aircraft down on I-25 near Spruce Mountain Road. Plane is upside down. CSP working on getting people out.

Update: Two people were onboard a small, twin engine plane. Both are being treated for injuries, but expected it to be okay.

04/18/2024

04/18/2024

Reports regarding traffic incidents, winter road conditions, traffic cameras, active and planned construction, etc.

04/05/2024

Updates on structure fire on Iowa ave

04/05/2024

Multi story apartment building fully involved on Iowa ave in palisade co please avoid the area will provide updates as available

02/08/2024

UPDATE
All of these roads are currently open. Travel safe!

Road Closures in place
(2-8-24) 8:30am
Highway 491 is closed at the intersection of Highway 141 due to a crash. UPDATE as of 10am the highway is open to alternating lanes of traffic. Expect delays.
Highway 145 is closed on Lizard Head Pass due to safety concerns.
Highway 550 is closed from Silverton to Ouray due to safety concerns.

As this series of storms move through our area, always check the road report before heading out. www.cotrip.org
Conditions can change quickly so make sure your vehicle is ready for the road conditions and plan accordingly. It's just winter in Colorado folks, we've got this!

02/08/2024

GRAND COUNTY, Utah (KREX) — Emergency crews are responding to a plane crash near the Colorado-Utah border in Grand County, Utah. A private charter plane took off from Grand Junction Regional Airpor…

11/02/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=711431854365015&id=100064946193887&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

- Now that areas have received sufficient snow, the Grand Valley Ranger District will be looking for an opportunity to initiate the burning of slash piles for the Crane and Big Creek timber sale areas over the next few weeks. Approximately 50 piles are planned to be burned.

Slash piles have been created to remove debris and vegetation (fuels) to help reduce the risk of larger wildfires. The piles are burned in project areas where other means of disposal are not feasible. Forest thinning projects improve forest health and wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk near private residences and other infrastructure. Implementing slash pile burning is a critical part of reducing the risk of wildfire to communities and improving forest health conditions.

Slash pile burning is only implemented under specific environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed, relative humidity, smoke dispersion). Trained fire managers conduct the burning of slash piles with a strong understanding of fire behavior and years of on-the-ground experience.

The public is reminded not to call 911 or emergency services if smoke is visible in specific burn areas.

10/09/2023

Ridgway (Ouray County) - Wildfire reported on Baldy Peak (about two miles east of Highway 550). Ridgway Fire units staging at Ouray County Fairgrounds awaiting further orders and information.

09/29/2023

This fire is burning north of Cortez, in southwest Colorado.

The lightning-caused Hope fire is 580 acres as of this evening. The fire ignited within a network of Forest Service System Roads and existing fire line originally built for prescribed fire activities on the Dolores Ranger District. This network of roads and fire line northwest of McPhee Reservoir are being used as containment lines for the wildfire. Today, firefighters used a helicopter and drip torches to burn vegetation between the main fire and containment lines.

Firing operations will continue tomorrow to widen containment lines and burn pockets of unburned vegetation. Smoke production will likely increase during the afternoon much like it did today.

Benefits of reintroducing fire in this landscape include reducing hazardous fuels, encouraging the growth of native plants, increasing species diversity in the understory, restoring ecological balance, and reducing the potential for future high-severity wildfires.

Recreationists and hunters are asked to avoid the area. Find maps and more information on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-hope-fire

Town of Dolores Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Town of Mancos City of Cortez, CO - Government

09/22/2023

Dolores (Montezuma County) - New start reported late in the evening of 9/21, a few miles north of McPhee Reservoir on the San Juan Forest.

Firefighters estimate this fire at 20 acres, 0% contained.

09/20/2023

Cortez - Motorcycle accident with multiple patients reported in the area of 4290 Highway 160. Cortez FPD and Southwest Ambulance en route.

09/16/2023

Ridgeway (Ouray County) - Two vehicle rollover on Highway 550 at milemarker 111. Initial reports indicate all occupants are out of both vehicles. Ridgeway Fire is enroute.

09/12/2023

Mancos (Montezuma County) - Building reportedly struck by lightning at 35111 Road K1. Mancos firefighters responding.

09/12/2023

Cortez - Possible mobile home fire at the Chestnut Street Homes in the area of Chestnut and Eleventh streets.

Cortez FPD on scene with a light haze of smoke evident, investigating.

09/11/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=691091643061618&id=100064823643234&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

Today marks 22 years since one of the most defining moments in US history.

A total of 2,996 people were killed on September 11, 2001, including passengers aboard the four airplanes. Citizens of 78 countries died in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

At the World Trade Center, 2,763 died after two planes slammed into the twin towers. That figure includes 343 firefighters and paramedics, 23 New York City police officers, and 37 Port Authority police officers who were struggling to complete an evacuation of the buildings and save the office workers trapped on higher floors.

At the Pentagon, 189 people were killed, including 64 on American Airlines Flight 77, the airliner that struck the building. On Flight 93, 44 people died when the plane crash-landed in Pennsylvania.

DFPC respectfully asks that you observe a moment of silence today, in honor of those who lost their lives on this horrific day. Thank you.

#911 #343

09/11/2023

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=702435941929162&id=100064882862259&sfnsn=mo&mibextid=RUbZ1f

08/20/2023

Update: Besides the near Chatfield State Park, all currently reported fires are on the Western Slope (photo for reference). Here are the most recent updates.

- 100% contained at 1,131 acres. https://share.watchduty.org/i/10680

Fire - 138 acres, located 7 miles north of Palisade. https://share.watchduty.org/i/11046

- 1,871 acres, 55% containment. Firefighters will continue to maintain observational and strategic attack capacity until the Lowline Fire is no longer considered a re-ignition risk for the area. Unless conditions change, this will be the last update for the Lowline Fire. https://share.watchduty.org/i/8133

- 415 acres, 0% containment. Results from Multi-Mission Aircraft flight Saturday evening showed minimal fire activity partly due to the aspen stands retarding fire growth. As the day progresses and fuels continue to dry, fire intensity will increase in heavy concentrations of downed woody material. https://share.watchduty.org/i/9819

- 1,490 acres, 0% containment. Results from Multi-Mission Aircraft flight last night showed the majority of the heat remains in the southeast corner of the Quartz Fire. Torching of trees and spotting could potentially cause some fire growth. Today crews will be working on the spot fires on the east side of Quartz Creek and in the southeast corner of the fire. https://share.watchduty.org/i/9554

- 1 acre, no containment reported. Pike & San Isabel National Forests is now in command. https://share.watchduty.org/i/11043

08/18/2023

Please avoid 7th and Riverside Parkway due to flooding from tonight’s storm.

Please use caution if you are out driving in the area until our storm drains catch up with the large amount of rain that has fallen in such a short period of time.

08/03/2023

https://www.facebook.com/100064946193887/posts/663111912530343/?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=ivGd4s

The Confusing Language of Wildland Fire

Have you noticed that people who work in wildland fire speak a language that those outside the profession may not relate to very well? If we told you to anchor and flank the spot and then tie in with the SOFR half way between the pumpkin and DP21, would you have a clue what we were instructing you to do? Well, if not, boy do we have a resource for you. There is a thing called the Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology (https://tinyurl.com/WildlandFireTerminology), and it covers all fire terms from A to Z – all 183 pages of them! Over the years, it has become increasingly apparent to wildland fire professionals that communicating clearly with the public is a crucial part of our job. It is important that you understand what we’re doing when we’re managing a fire so that you can support what we’re doing. That’s why all Incident Management Teams bring Public Information Officers with them to every incident. They work hard to communicate with you through many different avenues, including this page, so that you will understand and support the difficult work we do. Wildland firefighters are a unique breed. Helping communities like this one, and receiving the support and gratitude of the people who are most affected by the fires they fight, is one of their greatest motivations for doing their tough jobs day after day. Thank you for the support you are expressing here on Facebook and throughout the community as our paths cross. It means everything to us.

07/31/2023

Dozens of lightning strikes were reported last night as a thunderstorm ripped through southwest Colorado. In these photos, you can see several strikes impacting Mesa Verde.