Official Thread for all 2020 Colorado Fire Season Topics (Grand Junction, Evergreen: houses, campground)

[jim9251]

The #DurangoDisaptch zone has several new fires this evening that Fire Fighters have been working hard on all afternoon.

The #YellowJacketFire (Montezuma County), just east of HWY 491 and south of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument is about 378 acres.

#BeaverCreekFire (USFS) is in the Boggy Draw area and is about 1 acre.

#SpringFire (BLM) is about 14 miles west of Cortez just west of Goodman point and is an active fire estimated to be about 115 acres

#MorfieldFire is holding at 46 acres.

These fires are active and Fire Fighters are on scene.

In addition to the new fires in our area, there is a fire 14 miles se of Creede at about 115 acres.
All of these fires are producing a great deal of smoke and haze in our area

Dillard Fire Update - June 29,2020, 9:30 a.m., Dillard Mesa. The Dillard Fire was contained at 10:00 p.m. last night. Two Forest Service Engines and one 20-person Interagency Hotshot Crew attacked the fire and held it to one acre under 15-20 mph winds with gusts to 30 mph! The same resources are on site this morning mopping up of the fire. It was first reported at 2:10 p.m. burning in oak and pine forest with moderate growth potential. This area was treated with prescribed fire a few years ago to reduce understory fuels to promote a healthy fire resistant over story. Fire fighters said the reduction in fuel from prescribed burning helped keep fire intensity low, which assisted in rapid containment under the unfavorable wind conditions. The cause is unknown and under investigation.

[suzco]

Evacuations underway as wildfire burns southeast of Chatfield State Park

Firefighters are battling a wildfire southeast of Chatfield State Park where high winds and dry vegetation are creating “dangerous firefighting conditions.”

The BackCountry subdivision and the nearby Highlands Ranch Law Enforcement Training Foundation are being evacuated, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. The evacuation is mandatory. . .

[2bindenver]

Originally Posted by suzco

Evacuations underway as wildfire burns southeast of Chatfield State Park

I saw it is 100% contained. #Chatridge2fire https://www.denverpost.com/2020/06/2...-live-updates/

[DOUBLE H]

Red flag warning up for today for much of western Colorado. And hot----GJ was 100 yesterday and it looks like it'll be that way for the next few days.

[jim9251]

Red Flag Fire Warning for much of the western slope today. Stage 1 fire restrictions in Delta Montrose Ouray counties. 100 degrees in most areas yesterday with low humidity. Expect the same today with an added bonus, high winds.

Only 76 days to FALL!

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Red Flag Fire Warning for much of the western slope today. Stage 1 fire restrictions in Delta Montrose Ouray counties. 100 degrees in most areas yesterday with low humidity. Expect the same today with an added bonus, high winds.
...

And no improvement on the horizon, either.

[DOUBLE H]

A fire to report here that just got bigger in a hurry.


Streeter Fire
1000 acres.
At the halfway point between Meeker and Craig.


GJ's NBC affiliate KKCO-9 has reported on this and says Colorado Highway 13 has been closed right about the halfway point between the two communities. The wind in Mesa County had been blowing at a steady 25 m.p.h. and this fire is straddling Rio Blanco and Moffat counties. People are urged to stay off the highway-period. Fortunately they aren't in a forest, the Danforth Hills are pretty barren. Still, this one is getting close to outbuildings and homes close to the road. Air tankers have been sent there earlier today, the Craig Fire Rescue workers and BLM hotshots are out there as well.


ADD----I looked at some weather stats for Meeker-temperature right now is 92 degrees with 4% humidity. Yep--4%.

[DOUBLE H]

Sounds like we're doing better up north. KKCO reports the Streeter fire is 70% contained.

What remains worrisome still are the general conditions. 100 degrees on my thermometer today, consistent 20 m.p.h. winds with gusts to 35, zero clouds in the sky, weather dude Butch McCain said Grand Junction's humidity was 3% today.

And the five day forecast is for temps to be 100 to 105 through the weekend.

[jim9251]

The YMCA Fire was reported on the afternoon of July 8. The fire is burning on Bureau of Land Management-Royal Gorge Field Office lands in the Grand Canyon Hills area, approximately 4 miles southwest of Canon City. 268 acres 30% contained.

Goose Creek Fire Initially reported on Sunday, June 28th, this lightning-caused fire is burning in the Weminuche Wilderness Area near Lake Humphreys. Several heavy and one medium-lift helicopters made hundreds of water drops between June 28th and July 2nd to effectively slow the growth of the fire. No structures are in immediate danger. However, firefighters have developed a structure protection plan for property at the Humphreys and 4UR ranches as a contingency. 171 acres 90% contained.

The Sand Creek fire was started by lightning and first reported on June 15th, 2020. It is located 21 miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, in the Piedra Special Management Area. It is currently estimated at 65 acres in size and is burning within an area previously burned during the Little Sand Fire of 2012. Smokejumpers parachuted into the fire area on June 16th. After assessing the fire on the ground, the decision was made not to engage due to hazardous snags (standing dead/damaged trees), heavy fuel loads, and difficult terrain.

There was also a brush fire in Montrose yesterday evening.

Stage 1 fire restrictions along the western slope, forecast temps 100 plus, strong winds humidity 4-8%.

[jim9251]

Good resource for the western slope -

https://www.westslopefireinfo.com/?f...YwQ0j44BSqq1Jw