Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Fire Information:

www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriff

To download the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App, scan the QR code below or search your app store for “Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App”

Fawn Creek Fire:

Size: Approximately 2,459 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Stewart Fire:

Size: Approximately103 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Wolf Fire: 

Size: Approximately 300 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/14/2020

Summary:

There are three active fires located southwest of Meeker, Colo. in the Piceance Creek area south of Colorado Highway 64. The Fawn Creek and Stewart fires began Monday afternoon while the Wolf Fire was reported Tuesday morning.

The Wolf Fire was active throughout the afternoon and evening on Tuesday and grew to over 250 acres. Today, crews will scout areas for the placement of line around the fire

Crews worked to put in hand line on the south side of the Stewart Fire yesterday. On Monday night, crews burned off vegetation between the fire and the roads on the west and east sides of the Stewart Fire. Today, crews will work to put in hand line around the fire where needed.

The Fawn Creek Fire, has grown to over 2,400 acres. Crews will focus on the north side of the fire today, putting hand line in where appropriate.

The weather over all three fires will be mostly sunny with high temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees. The forecast calls for light winds 5-10mph out of the west on ridge tops with up drainage winds 5-10mph out of the northeast in the valleys. Fire behavior is expected to be active as the day warms; storms to the east and south may produce outflow winds across the area of the fires.

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team assumed command of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires from local resources at 6:00am this morning. “The team and resources who have been managing these three fires have done an excellent job to ensure public and firefighter safety. We want to thank all local resources that have been working hard during the first days of this evolving situation,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Rio Blanco County has implemented stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.

Fawn Creek Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6861/

Stewart Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6862/

Wolf Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6863/

Fire Information – Phone: 970-878-8283      

With minimal fire activity seen on the Fawn Creek and Wolf fires yesterday, crews were able to remove remaining areas of heat near the perimeters while increasing levels of containment on the Fawn and Wolf fires yesterday. With the Stewart Fire 100% contained and in patrol status, crews were able to focus their energy on areas of higher heat on the other two fires.

Today crews on both the Fawn Creek Fire and the Wolf Fire will continue patrol the fires, mopping up any areas of remaining heat near the edge of those fires.

Weather over the fires is forecasted to be warm and breezy with less potential for afternoon thunderstorms than the last several days. High temperatures are expected to be around 90 with relative humidity dropping to the low-teens in the afternoon. Winds are anticipated to be out of the northwest with gusts to 25 mph on the ridgetops.

With increased containment and decreased levels of complexity, management of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires will be turned back to the local agencies at 6 a.m. on Monday, June 20.

“As we wrap up our time on the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires, we want to express our sincere thanks to the community of Meeker and county of Rio Blanco for your hospitality and patience as we worked to manage this incident,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Crews reached 100% containment on the Stewart Fire yesterday afternoon, and the fire has been moved into patrol status. There may still be visible smoke from the interior of this 212 acre fire until wetting rain moves into the area.

The Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received no rain yesterday. Crews and resources remain prepared to assist with initial attack on new fire starts in the area.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will continue to improve and strengthen hand line along the southeast edge and the northwest corner, mopping up as they move around the fire perimeter.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will continue to improve and secure hand line while mopping up and removing heat from areas near the edge of the fire.

“We know that even though these fires are holding less heat and we are moving toward containment, all personnel assigned to these fires must remain vigilant and ensure that we stay aware of the dangers around us,” said Craig Haslam, Safety Officer with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Forecasted weather will be similar to the past few days with high temperatures around 90 and relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens as the day progresses. Thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area around 11 a.m. Once again outflow winds, which may gust to 40 mph, and lightning will likely be associated with these thunderstorms. Westerly ridgetop winds will be predominant over the fires until 1p.m. when the winds will shift to the northwest, gusting to 25 mph.

Summary                                   

The area over the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires received minimal moisture from storms yesterday. For the second day in a row, aerial assets assisted with initial attack on a new fire yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are once again ready to assist if any new fire starts come from the thunderstorms forecast for the area today.

The Stewart Fire will be patrolled by engines and mop up will be performed on any areas holding heat.

Crews on the Fawn Creek Fire will work along the southeast edge and the northwest corner to secure areas of heat and complete hand line along the edge of the fire. Crews will also focus on securing the fire in the Eureka Creek area.

On the Wolf Fire, crews will construct, improve, and secure hand line around the fire while also mopping up spots holding heat near hand lines.

Weather over the fire area will be similar to yesterday with thunderstorms forecast to move through in the afternoon. Incident Meteorologist Christopher Redmond said, “We are expecting another day of erratic outflow winds and lightning associated with strong thunderstorms developing around the area beginning at noon. Today will test the containment lines around the fires.”

Outflow winds associated with these thunderstorms may gust to 40mph and lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be similar to once again be in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. Prior to thunderstorms in the afternoon, ridgetop winds will likely be stronger than that past few days with westerly gusts up to 25mph.

Summary                                    7/16/2020, 9:00 am

Aerial resources supporting the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires assisted with the initial attack of a new fire west of Meeker yesterday.  Fire managers and crews are prepared to assist with additional new fire starts that may come from passing thunderstorms in the area today.

To slow the progression of the Wolf Fire, a heavy air tanker was used to drop retardant on the north side of the fire yesterday afternoon. Today, crews will continue to construct hand line around the Wolf Fire while also strengthening those constructed yesterday. Crews will mop up spots holding heat near hand lines.  

On the Stewart Fire, crews will continue to maintain and improve hand lines around the fire. Some resources may be shifted to the other two fires when the Stewart Fire begins being patrolled by engines.

The Fawn Creek Fire was active yesterday afternoon as firefighters worked with aircraft to drop water to contain a spot fire on the northwest corner of the fire. Helicopters were also used to take heat out of the southeast corner of the Fawn Creek Fire; this will allow crews to continue to construct and improve hand line in that area of the fire today.

Air operations may be limited at times throughout the day today due to thunderstorms moving through the fire area. Outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms are anticipated over the fires and may gust to 40mph. Lightning will likely accompany the thunderstorms today. Temperatures are expected to be similar to the past several days with highs in the upper 80s with relative humdities in the low teens. The fires are anticipated to be active throughout the day as thunderstorms move into the area.

The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and Rio Blanco County have both implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on any of the Incident Information sites below. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.

Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Fire Information:

www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriff

To download the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App, scan the QR code below or search your app store for “Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s App”

Fawn Creek Fire:

Size: Approximately 2,459 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Stewart Fire:

Size: Approximately103 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/13/2020

Wolf Fire: 

Size: Approximately 300 acres

Containment: 0%

Fire start date: 7/14/2020

Summary:

There are three active fires located southwest of Meeker, Colo. in the Piceance Creek area south of Colorado Highway 64. The Fawn Creek and Stewart fires began Monday afternoon while the Wolf Fire was reported Tuesday morning.

The Wolf Fire was active throughout the afternoon and evening on Tuesday and grew to over 250 acres. Today, crews will scout areas for the placement of line around the fire

Crews worked to put in hand line on the south side of the Stewart Fire yesterday. On Monday night, crews burned off vegetation between the fire and the roads on the west and east sides of the Stewart Fire. Today, crews will work to put in hand line around the fire where needed.

The Fawn Creek Fire, has grown to over 2,400 acres. Crews will focus on the north side of the fire today, putting hand line in where appropriate.

The weather over all three fires will be mostly sunny with high temperatures between 85 and 90 degrees. The forecast calls for light winds 5-10mph out of the west on ridge tops with up drainage winds 5-10mph out of the northeast in the valleys. Fire behavior is expected to be active as the day warms; storms to the east and south may produce outflow winds across the area of the fires.

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team assumed command of the Fawn Creek, Stewart, and Wolf fires from local resources at 6:00am this morning. “The team and resources who have been managing these three fires have done an excellent job to ensure public and firefighter safety. We want to thank all local resources that have been working hard during the first days of this evolving situation,” said Michael Haydon, Incident Commander of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team.

Rio Blanco County has implemented stage 1 fire restrictions. More information on these restrictions is available on the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The public is asked to stay clear of the area to allow firefighters to safely manage the fire.

Fawn Creek Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6861/

Stewart Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6862/

Wolf Fire Incident Information:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6863/

Fire Information – Phone: 970-878-8283      

Acres: Blue River 2: 28,051   Valley: 29,639

Containment: Blue River 2: 67%   Valley: 100%

Update: This will be the last update by the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 4 for the Blue River 2 and Valley fires. Due to successful fire operations, management of the incident is being transitioned to a smaller type 4 organization led by Incident Commander Mike Gutierrez.

Operations: Yesterday, crews were able to increase containment on the Blue River 2 Fire to 61% by completing fireline on large percentages of the fire’s edge. Today, hotshot crews are working to construct fireline on the steep, rugged southeastern portion of the fire’s edge where most of the fire activity remains. Aircraft remain available to assist where needed on the incident.

Two hotshot crews, one type 2 initial attack crew, four engines, one fire module, and one helicopter will stay on to continue the work of completing containment on the Blue River 2 Fire. Firefighters will remain spiked out by camping off of the Point of Pines Road (Route 8). The road will be opened to tribal members as soon as deemed safe by the incident commander.

Weather:  Forecasted temperatures will be slightly lower than yesterday with relative humidity in the mid-teens. Skies will be partly cloudy with winds up to 20 mph. Tuesday through Friday, temperatures will start to fall into the lower 90's as rain chances begin to increase with incoming monsoons.

Closures: There is a temporary flight restriction closure over the fire area. Citizens are encouraged to stay safely clear of fire area. The Point of Pines Road is closed due to fire activity and firefighters working off of the road. Check the Inciweb page below for updates.

Ko’ doo bena golde’ da

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6860/

Facebook: https://facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY

Acres: Blue River 2 - 28,045    Valley - 29,639

Containment: Blue River 2 - 33%    Valley - 100%

Fire Activity:  Predicted fire activity on the Blue River 2 Fire will be moderate with the potential for running, creeping and smoldering. Yesterday, the Blue River 2 Fire made a run during the heat of the day, adding approximately 428 acres.  On the Valley Fire, activity should be minimal with some creeping and smoldering. The Valley Fire is 100% contained.

Operations:  Yesterday, firefighters responded to the growth on the east end of the Blue River 2 Fire. This growth was a result of the alignment of fuels, weather and topography. Air tankers, helicopters and multiple hotshot crews were able to stop forward progress within a few hours. Hotshot crews remained overnight to strengthen and secure the edge of the fire. Aircraft will remain available to respond to any new fire activity. This morning crews will begin suppression repair work to return hand line and dozer line to a more natural state. Crews across the fire area are constructing waterbars to reduce potential of flood damage as the monsoon season begins. Firefighters will continue to improve firelines and monitor fire activity throughout the day. 

Weather: Today, weather conditions will remain hot and dry with a decreased chance of rain.  Thunderstorms have the potential to produce outflow winds which could affect fire behavior.  Temperatures are forecasted in the low 100’s with the relative humidity dropping to the mid-teens.

Closures:  Point of Pines Road remains closed due to fire activities, though actions are being taken to open this road as soon as it is safe.  There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) closure over the fire area. Citizens are encouraged to stay clear of the fire area. Monitor the fire InciWeb site below and the fire Facebook sites for changes to the status of the road.

Nowhi ni’ nłt eego anłsih

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6860/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blueriver2fireinfo

https://facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY

The Blue River 2 Fire and Valley Fire Operational Update Video for July 18, 2020 with Operations Section Chief Buck Wickham is now available on the Blue River 2 Fire Information Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/blueriver2fireinfo/videos/1479654772240843/

Acres: Blue River 2 - 27,623   Valley - 29,628

Containment:  Blue River 2 - 12%   Valley - 100%

Fire Activity: Fire activity has decreased over the last couple of days providing firefighters opportunities to make significant headway. The Valley Fire is 100 percent contained with little new fire growth.  The forward progress of the Blue River 2 Fire has been stopped. Unburned areas in the interior of these fires continue to smolder and occasionally ignite. Threats to exterior lines still exist if fuel, weather and topography align.

Operations: Crews on both the Blue River 2 and Valley Fires will continue monitoring the fire areas, improving line construction, and cooling any hot spots adjacent to established fire lines. The Blue River 2 Fire is 12 percent contained and much work remains to get done. The fire organization is downsizing and firefighters are being made available for other fires in the Southwest.

Weather:  Weather over the fire areas will be similar to yesterday though slightly warmer. Highs near 97 degrees with slightly drier conditions. Overnight relative humidity (RH) recovery was very good with RHs between 35-50 percent. Winds will generally be less than 20 mph except near isolated thunderstorms which could provide significant outflow winds.

Closures: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) closure over the fire area. Citizens are encouraged to stay clear of fire area. Point of Pines Road remains closed due to fire activities, though actions are being taken to open this road as soon as it is safe. Monitor the fire InciWeb site below and the fire Facebook sites for changes to the status of the road.

Nowhi ni’ nłt eego anłsih

Inciweb:  https://inciWeb.nwcg.gov/incident/6860/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/blueriver2fireinfo

https://facebook.com/SCATFORESTRY