East Canyon Fire Update
June 15, 2020 - 6:00 PM
 
As expected, fire activity started increasing around 11:00 AM as temperatures began to rise and the winds picked up. The fire kept firefighters in a defensive mode for several hours as it moved down the canyon fingers on the east side of Weber Mountain.Safety Officer Ann Shepherdson who was observing the firefighters at work acknowledged that they engaged the fire when they could and they backed down when conditions dictated.
 
 The fire gained momentum in the early afternoon and made a significant push north towards Highway 160, prompting the closure of Highway 160 around 3:30 PM. At this time, fire activity has slowed and the State Patrol will be reopening the highway. The fire is estimated at around 2,000 acres and is 0% contained.
 
 The fire is currently burning about 1 mile south of the highway; it has not spotted to the north side of the highway. There were several spot fires across County Road 105(Cherry Creek Rd); firefighters were able to extinguish all of them. No structures have been damaged or lost.
 
Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM the fire will be turned over to the Rocky Mountain Team Blue, a Type 2 Team. The decision to go Type 2 is due to the complexity of the fire,rugged terrain, and the number of aerial resources. Their arrival will also free up the Durango Team to deal with new fire starts.
 
Fire managers would like to remind residents to keep their drones at home. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) for 10 miles around the fire. Due to the steep terrain and limited number of firefighters, a significant number of aerial resources are being used to combat this fire.
 “It is imperative that we don’t have to stand down our air resources because a drone is jeopardizing their air space,” said Connie Clementson, Field Office Manager for the Tres Rios Field Office. “We appreciate the public’s assistance and patience during this effort.”

 East Canyon Fire Update 
 June 15, 2020 - 8:00 AM
 
 The East Canyon fire, located southeast of Mancos, CO, continued to grow steadily throughout the evening and is now estimated at around 1,100 acres. The fire spans Bureau of Land Management and private lands in both Montezuma and La Plata Counties.The fire is burning on the east side of Weber Canyon and the west side of Cherry Creek.Objectives given to the team include keeping the fire east of Road 46 (where the Elk Springs and Elk Stream subdivisions are located), south of Highway 160 and west of County Road 105, the Cherry Creek Road.
 
 In preparation for another Red Flag Day, this morning ground crews and aircraft will conduct point protection on the western flank to build and secure fireline around the radio tower and two homes. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for both Monday and Tuesday with gusty winds possible both days.
 
 Aircraft available include three helicopters, a Very Large Airtanker (VLAT), two air tankers,and two Single Engine Airtankers (SEATs). Approximately 60 firefighters are currently onscene and more resources will be arriving throughout the day. Due to numerous fire starts from Saturday’s lightning storm, both ground and air resources may be shared with other incidents as needed.
 The Durango Interagency Type 3 Team led by Rich Gustafson assumed command of the fire at 6 AM today. The team has been pre-positioned in Hesperus for the past two weeks as they established procedures for fire response and fire camp logistics using appropriate responses for COVID19.
 
 Due to the extreme drought facing southwest Colorado, fire managers have been requesting and coordinating extra resources for several weeks to increase their ability to quickly respond to fires. To report a fire start call 911.

The Loading Pen fire is 100% contained as of July 2, 2020. 

Dolores, Colo., June 19, 2020 – The fire is now 90% contained and over half the firefighters who have been working on it this week are being released today. They will either return home for rest or be reassigned to other fires. The Loading Pen Fire remains at 42 acres in size. About 40 firefighters will still be putting out hot spots and keeping an eye on the fire lines on Saturday. Those crews will also continue to cut down damaged trees that either pose a threat to the fire lines, or to public or firefighter safety. Helicopters are available in the area to support the firefighters on the ground, if needed.

Dolores, Colo., June 18, 2020 – After some crews worked all night, the Loading Pen Fire is now considered 65% contained. Its size is now estimated at 42 acres. 30 firefighters worked through the night last night to contain two small “spot” fires, which were discovered around 10:30 p.m. The spot fires were both less than a quarter acre in size and were contained within two hours. Crews then worked through the night to make sure the lines around both the main fire and the spot fires were secure. A spot fire is caused when embers float over the fire line and find new fuel sources. A Chinook, twin-rotor helicopter was again used for a short time this morning to drop water on remaining hot spots.

Dolores, Colo., June 17, 2020 - To better secure existing control lines, firefighters were carefully applying fire along those lines today on the Loading Pen Fire. “Burnouts” strengthen the lines by eliminating the fuel between the line and the naturally advancing wildfire.  The burnouts are small in size, less than five acres, but have a big impact on firefighters’ ability to contain the fire. The fire is located about 17 miles northeast of Dolores, CO. It is now 5% contained and its size is estimated at 38 acres. “The firefighters have just done a tremendous job cutting and digging line up a very steep slope,” says Incident Commander Tracy Milakovic, “and all that hard work has been paying off.” A twin-rotor Chinook helicopter assisted the firefighters on the ground today by dropping water on the “green” side of the fire lines. This action helps prevent any embers that may float over the line from getting established in new fuel.

Dolores, Colo., June 16, 2020 - Working against strong winds on steep terrain, firefighters made progress establishing control lines around the Loading Pen Fire today. The fire is burning east of Colorado Highway 145, about 17 miles northeast of Dolores. Its size is estimated at 35 acres with zero percent containment. It was started by lightning last Saturday.

Dolores, Colo., June 15, 2020 - The Loading Pen Fire on the Dolores Ranger District was reported on the evening of Saturday June 13th. The fire is located approximately 17 miles from Dolores, near Stoner, between Taylor and Haycamp Mesas on National Forest System land. It was started by lightning and is burning in mixed conifer and aspen. As of Sunday night, the fire was approximately 25 acres.

A local Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command Sunday and is using a full suppression strategy on the fire. Ground resources include two interagency hotshot crews, an engine, and other resources are arriving. Aircraft, including helicopters and single engine air tankers, will continue to support fire suppression activities. Red Flag warnings are predicted through Tuesday for gusty winds, low relative humidity, and dry fuels with little chance of precipitation.

Smoke from the fire may be visible on Highway 145, as well as National Forest System Road (NFSR) 556 and 558.  Smoke may also be visible to surrounding communities for the duration of the fire. Roadside signs will be posted on Highway 145 to alert any travelers of smoke and firefighting personnel and equipment in the area.

Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health  

The San Juan National Forest will continue to provide additional updates on the Loading Pen Fire as needed, depending upon incident activity. Additional incident information can also be found at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6775.

All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

June 30, 2020 Update - Bush Fire

Acres: 193,455 acres (no change)
Percent Containment: 98% (no change)
Start Date: Saturday, June 13, 2020
Cause: Human-caused
Origin Location: 22 miles NE of Mesa, AZ
AZ Fuels: Tall grass and brush
Resources: approx. 120 personnel including 1 Type 1 Crew; 8 Engines; 1 dozer; 2 water tenders

The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure. Frequent ash whirls that looked like smoke were visible within the fire area; minimal smoke on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. The Arizona Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team is working with the Tonto National Forest to transition management to the forest in the coming days.
Resources assigned to the fire supported new fires yesterday and will continue to support be available for initial attack on new fires.


 
Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments are in progress. For more information, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6803/

The Tonto National Forest has an area closures surrounding the Bush and Central Fires. Fire restrictions remain in place. Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

For your safety and ours, please drive with caution. Firefighters continue to work along Highway 87 and 188. Drivers should expect fire personnel and cooperators to be working on highway shoulders and should use extreme caution. Slow down and watch for firefighters working along the highways. Please not stop along the road in the fire area.

Road Status Information: https://az511.com/ or call 511

Evacuation Status: READY – No active evacuations. Learn more about “Ready-Set-Go Arizona” and sign up for emergency notifications for your county: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Smoke Outlook: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/CentralArizona.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Fire Information: 928-351-7596 (public)
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6773/
Facebook: Fb.com/bushfireinfo
Email: 2020.bush@firenet.gov
Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest 

June 29, 2020 Update - Bush Fire

Acres: 193,455 acres (no change)
Percent Containment: 98% (no change)
Start Date: Saturday, June 13, 2020
Cause: Human-caused
Origin Location: 22 miles NE of Mesa, AZ
Fuels: Tall grass and brush
Resources: approx. 120 personnel including 1 Type 1 Crew; 8 Engines; 1 dozer; 2 water tenders

Challenged by high winds firefighters continue to patrol and monitor containment lines
The Bush Fire remains 98% contained. A Red Flag Warning is again in effect over the fire area today bringing high and gusty winds with low relative humidity. Through the high winds yesterday the containment lines remained secure and minimal fire activity on the interior was observed. Interior burning activity and smoke may be present until the fire area receives widespread moisture from monsoons. Until then resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire’s perimeter. Resources assigned to the fire supported new fires yesterday and will continue to support be available for initial attack on new fires.
 
Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments are in progress. For more information, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6803/

The Tonto National Forest has an area closures surrounding the Bush and Central Fires. Fire restrictions remain in place. Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.

For your safety and ours, please drive with caution. Firefighters continue to work along Highway 87 and 188. Drivers should expect fire personnel and cooperators to be working on highway shoulders and should use extreme caution. Slow down and watch for firefighters working along the highways. Please not stop along the road in the fire area.

Road Status Information: https://az511.com/ or call 511

Evacuation Status: READY – No active evacuations. Learn more about “Ready-Set-Go Arizona” and sign up for emergency notifications for your county: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Smoke Outlook: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/CentralArizona.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. More info visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Fire Information: 928-351-7596 (public)
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6773/
Facebook: Fb.com/bushfireinfo
Email: 2020.bush@firenet.gov
Twitter: twitter.com/TontoForest