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  • wildfire Wildfire
  • prescribed fire Prescribed Fire
  • burned area emergency response Burned Area Response
  • other type Other

Menkhaven

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Unit Information

Rio Grande National Forest 
1055 9th St. 
Del Norte, 
Colorado 
81132 
Rio Grande National Forest 
1055 9th St. 
Del Norte, 
Colorado 
81132 

Incident Contacts

Photographs Gallery

The natural response
Small green grass stems grow out of a blackened forest floor. Taller burned trees are in the background.
Small green grass stems grow out of a blackened forest floor. Taller burned trees are in the background.
The natural response

New growth on wildfires begins immediately

Mosaic burn
Grass and logs with the ocasional burned spot on the forest floor give way to more burned areas within the standing trees..
Grass and logs with the ocasional burned spot on the forest floor give way to more burned areas within the standing trees..
Mosaic burn

A more mosaic burn happes on the fire flanks.

A bird's eye view
Looking down on the burned portion of the steep slow there are scorched trees. The river and some structures are seen in the valley bottom.
Looking down on the burned portion of the steep slow there are scorched trees. The river and some structures are seen in the valley bottom.
A bird's eye view

A view of a portion of the fire from the cliffs to the west.

Aspens on the fire edge
Small aspen trees in the foreground with green grass contrast with burned trees behind.
Small aspen trees in the foreground with green grass contrast with burned trees behind.
Aspens on the fire edge

New growth of aspen trees on the Menkhaven fire's edge.

Ridgetop Burned Area
Black trees at the top of a ridge with cliffs and live trees below.
Black trees at the top of a ridge with cliffs and live trees below.
Ridgetop Burned Area

Menkhaven Fire burned area at the top of the ridge is generally difficult to see by passing motorists.

Coordinating the attack
A firefighter on a satellite phone faces the mountain with smoke on it.
A firefighter on a satellite phone faces the mountain with smoke on it.
Coordinating the attack

The Incident Commander orders airtankers during the initial attack stages.

Supporting mop up operations
firefighter operate the pump from the back of a fire engine. One firefighter stands on the top of the pump units.
firefighter operate the pump from the back of a fire engine. One firefighter stands on the top of the pump units.
Supporting mop up operations

Engine crews provide water to hand crews conducting mop-up operations

Menkhaven Fire - Thursday, June 1
Light smoke drifts above the forest canopy on the steep slopes above highway 17.
Light smoke drifts above the forest canopy on the steep slopes above highway 17.
Menkhaven Fire - Thursday, June 1

Looking at the Menkhaven Fire from Highway 17.

Highway 17 road closure May 30, 2022
Highway 17 road closure May 30, 2022
Menkhaven Fire Saturday afternoon
Grey smoke rises above trees into a blue sky with wispy clouds. Flames are barely seen through the trees in one spot.
Grey smoke rises above trees into a blue sky with wispy clouds. Flames are barely seen through the trees in one spot.
Menkhaven Fire Saturday afternoon

Lower elevation moderate fire behavior.

Road Closure Management
A police vehicle and plow truck with lights flashing are parked on a highway with road closed barricades..
A police vehicle and plow truck with lights flashing are parked on a highway with road closed barricades..
Road Closure Management

Road closure management is important for firefighter and public saefty.

Menkhaven late evening retardant drop
A large airtanker with headlights on drops red fire retardant out over a forest that is speckled with spot fires in the forest.
A large airtanker with headlights on drops red fire retardant out over a forest that is speckled with spot fires in the forest.
Menkhaven late evening retardant drop

The last drop of a large airtanker before leaving the Menkhaven Fire for the night.

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