Crews Released From Incident as Containment Increases

Over the last three days, crews have made significant progress on the fire. Containment continues to increase as the fire perimeter is strengthened and improved. More accurate mapping brings the final acreage to 540. This will be the Final News Release for the Molino Fire. As of 5:00 pm tonight, the Molino Fire Public Information Officer and phone number will no longer be available. Any notable activity will be available by calling the Coronado National Forest Public Affairs Office at (520) 388-8484 or visiting https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6654/ .

“We would like thank the public for their support and patience during this incident and road closure.  Our number one priority is the safety of public and firefighters. We have had great success gaining containment, have no reported injuries, and no structures lost” stated Incident Commander Anthony Walkosak.

Based on this progress, the Incident Management Team has released resources from the incident and made available to assist with other fires. Fire resources from Coronado National Forest will continue to patrol and monitor the fire.  Fire activity is low with hotspots well within the fire interior.  The public may continue to see smoke over the next few days.  Please do not report this fire.

Molino Basin Campground will remain closed until Saturday, November 2, 2019.  Members of the public planning to travel on the Arizona Trail should utilize other access points until this time.

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Forward Progress has Stopped, Containment Increases, Crews Continue with Mop-up

Forward  progress has stopped on the fire and containment on the Molino Fire increased to 50% despite the fire’s location in steep, rugged terrain.  The fire remains under investigation and a fire investigator is working to determine the cause.

Today crews will patrol and monitor fire activity.  There is minimal fire behavior with hot spots within the fire perimeter. Smoke may be visible within the fire interior for the next few days. Due to the steep terrain, crews will be on alert for debris rolling downhill and possibly moving beyond the established perimeter. Firefighters will continue to strengthen and improve the fire line to decrease the chances of roll out. Aircraft have not been used for water or retardant drops. 

UAV (drone) pilots are onsite and will assist with multiple tasks including more accurate mapping and reconnaissance. The UAV pilots are officially assigned to the fire and are authorized to operate within the fire area.  We would like to remind the public that hobbyist drones and firefighting aircraft don't mix. All authorized aircraft on an incident maintain radio communication with each other to safely coordinate their missions, but aerial firefighting flight crews have no way to communicate with drone operators. An unauthorized drone puts firefighter’s safety at risk and can prevent fire suppression activities.  Remember if you fly, we can’t!

There are currently no structures threatened and no injuries have been reported. Molino Basin Campground remains closed.

Forward Progress Stopped as Crews Work Towards Full Suppression

The Molino Fire was located on Sunday, October 27 around 3:30 pm. The fire is located mostly in the Pusch Ridge Wilderness in the Molino Basin on the Coronado National Forest. Please do not report this fire. 

Crews began working along Catalina Highway Sunday afternoon and are providing for point protection in Molino Basin Campground. The fire is moving through steep, rugged terrain, and the safety of firefighters and the public is the number one priority.  Crews are utilizing established roads and trails to serve as boundaries for the fire perimeter and going direct where appropriate.

Forward progress has stopped and no additional growth is expected. Crews will continue to patrol the fire perimeter and utilize minimum impact suppression tactics to secure fire line along the western and southern edge. Firing operations and chainsaw operations are being conducted when necessary to strengthen and improve fire line. A fixed wing aircraft and helicopter will complete reconnaissance flights as needed and to provide accurate mapping. Aircraft have not been used for water or retardant drops.

There are currently no structures threatened and no injuries have been reported.

The weather forecast will be warm and dry with winds expected at 10-20 mph out of the northwest.  There is a zero chance of precipitation.

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Catalina Highway has reopened to all vehicle traffic.  Please drive slowly and turn on headlights for safety.  Firefighters crews and equipment continue to work in the area.

Catalina Highway is closed at mile marker zero to all traffic with the following exceptions:
-Residents
-Employees 

Anyone traveling beyond the road block must provide proof of residence/employment. This can be done with an ID, pay stub, utility bill, etc.  For more information call the Pima County Sheriff's Department at 520-547-7510 for the latest information.

Library File

The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests has announced an emergency closure area around the Cow Creek Fire (Special Order GMUG 2019-06).

Public access to the closure area is restricted, includes the following Forest Service Roads (FSR):

Owl Creek Pass (FSR 858) from the forest boundary up to Owl Creek Pass

West Fork Road (FSR 860) from the intersection with Owl Creek Road to the Wetterhorn Trailhead

Cow Creek Road (FSR 857)

And the following Forest Service Trails (FST):

Wetterhorn Basin Trail (FST 226)

Stealey Mountain South Trail (FST 258)

Courthouse Trail (FST 218)

Stealey Mountain North Trail (FST 219)

Old Owl Creek Trail (FST 236)

Cow Creek Trail (FST 220)

Spalding Park Trail (FST 237)

FST 219.1B, FST 236.1B, FST 236.1A, and FST 144.

This closure is being enacted in the interest of public health and safety. The public is asked to adhere to this closure and pay close attention to all signage. Hunters currently located in the closure area, which includes a portion of Unit 65, are encouraged to relocate camps as soon as possible, and are asked to direct their questions to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Montrose Office at 970-252-6000. The public’s patience and understanding is greatly appreciated on this matter.

For questions concerning this emergency closure, please call the Ouray Ranger District (GMUG) at 970-240-5300.

 Cow Creek Fire Community Meeting 
 - Ridgway Elementary School
 - 1115 Clinton St., Ridgway, CO
 - Tuesday Oct 22, 2019 
 - Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 
 - Meeting starts at 6:00 PM 
 - The meeting will be livestreamedon FACEBOOK @GMUGFireInfo

Cow Creek Fire Community Meeting - Ridgway Elementary School
- 1115 Clinton St., Ridgway, CO
 - Tuesday Oct 22, 2019 
 - Doors open at 5:30 p.m. 
 - Meeting starts at 6:00 PM 
 - The meeting will be livestreamedon FACEBOOK @GMUGFireInfo