Summary:

Sunday, the Cow Creek fire experienced little fire activity due to precipitation received near Courthouse Mountain and Cow Creek. Firefighters continued scouting for fireline locations and identifying possible locations to engage the fire.  The infrared flight was not successful for acreage changes due to cloud cover overnight.

Today’s fire behavior will be moderate with continued colder temperatures. The fire will continue creeping, smoldering with single tree torching near Cow Creek.  Heavy fuel loads are holding heat and may become active as warm weather increases mid-week. Firefighters continue scouting and planning for management action points needed to build fire lines if the fire advances. On the west side of the fire, dead tree snags are being removed from the road to improve access.

Weather:

Today will be slightly warmer with periods of clouds throughout the day and possibly a few afternoon flurries. Winds continue out of the northwest 20-25 mph with gusts to 35 mph on the ridge tops. Tuesday’s temperatures are expected to be 10 degrees warmer with lighter winds and drier conditions.

Closures:

Forest Service Roads: Owl Creek Pass Road (FSR 858) from the forest boundary up to Owl Creek Pass), Cow Creek Road (FSR 857) and West Fork Road (FSR 860) from Owl Creek Pass. Forest Service Trails (FST): 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), Wetterhorn Basin Trail (FST 226), Spalding Park Trail (FST 237), FST 219.1B, 236.1B, 236.1A, and 144.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs): TFRs are in place in the area around the fire to provide for the safety of firefighting aircraft and crews on the ground. Unauthorized use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, by the public is prohibited near active wildfires. If you fly, we can’t. 

Fire Restrictions: There are currently no fire restrictions in place. Campers and hunters are reminded to never leave a campfire unattended and to make sure it is completely out using the “drown, stir, feel” method before leaving an area. For more information on campfire safety visit: https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety

This will be the final update for the Granite Lake Fire unless there are significant changes to report on the incident. For further information on the Granite Lake Fire please call the Sopris Ranger District at 970-963-2266

Emergency closures will remain until further notice for Road #504 (at the junction with Road #504.1E to the end) and Trail #1940 (from the south fork trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass).
 
The Granite Lake Fire may continue to smolder and burn until a season ending event, such as significant snowfall, puts it out. Fire fighters will continue to monitor fire activity and ensure the fire stays within its established perimeter. 

MEREDITH, Colo., October 9, 2019 – The Granite Lake Fire has not grown in size and continues to burn dead and downed fuels. As today's  cold front approaches, the area will see strong southwest winds by late morning.  Fire activity may pick up this afternoon with occasional torching and smoke may be visible from areas outside of the upper Fryingpan River basin.

While the fire area is included in today's Red Flag Warning, the National Weather Service forecast indicates that critical fire conditions are unlikely in the Granite Lake Fire area due to expected high humidity.

Snow is expected later this evening following the frontal passage with accumulations of 3 to 6 inches at the fire site by late Thursday afternoon.   

The Granite Lake Fire continues to be monitored as part of a confine and contain strategy. Firefighters will take defensive measures as needed.

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Fire Update: Yesterday's winds fueled occasional torching within the fire perimeter and smoke was visible from outside the upper Fryingpan River basin. Similar fire activity is expected today.

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect today with colder weather and snow forecasted for Thursday.
 
Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 8, 2019 – Afternoon wind gusts have resulted in some increase in fire activity with no growth beyond the fire perimeter. 
 
Work to create defensible space around recreation residences in Nast and near Seller Lake is complete.
 
The Granite Lake Fire continues to be monitored and scouted on the ground and in the air as part of a confine and contain strategy.

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Fire Update: Yesterday the fire continued to burn and smolder within its perimeter. 

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: A red flag warning will be in effect today and tomorrow with colder weather and possible snow later in the week.
 
Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 7, 2019 – The Granite Lake Fire will continue to burn and smolder today

This afternoon may see increased fire activity as the Granite Lake Fire continues to burn dead and downed fuels within the fire perimeter. The Granite Lake Fire is being monitored and scouted on the ground and in the air as part of a confine and contain strategy.

The Granite Lake Fire is burning in a remote area of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness approximately 13 miles southeast of Meredith, Colorado. It was caused by lightning and was first detected on September 21. This fire is being managed under a confine and contain strategy.

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Fire Update: Fire activity within the fire perimeter is expected to increase this afternoon.

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: Dry conditions are expected to persist through mid-week. Gusty northerly winds this afternoon may result in moderate fire activity similar to what occurred yesterday.

Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 6, 2019 – Low to moderate fire activity is expected today for the Granite Lake Fire.

The Granite Lake Fire is burning in a remote area of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness approximately 13 miles southeast of Meredith, Colorado. It was caused by lightning and was first detected on September 21.

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Fire Update: No significant change in fire activity is expected on the Granite Fire today.

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: Dry conditions are expected to persist through Monday. Overall winds are expected to be mild compared to yesterday with occasional gusty conditions this afternoon.

Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 5, 2019 – Despite yesterday's gusty winds, the Granite Lake Fire saw low to moderate activity with occasional torching of pockets of trees within the fire perimeter.

The Granite Lake Fire is burning in a remote area of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness approximately 13 miles southeast of Meredith, Colorado. It was caused by lightning and was first detected on September 21.

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Fire Update: No significant change in fire activity is expected on the Granite Fire today.

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: Dry conditions are expected to continue through the weekend. Winds will be less strong than yesterday with occasional gusty conditions this afternoon.

Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 4, 2019 – Fire crews continue to scout for spots outside of the fire perimeter. Work to create defensible space around structures on the Fryingpan Ranch is completed. Defensible space around the Nast Colony is expected to be accomplished by tomorrow.

The Granite Lake Fire is burning in a remote area of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness approximately 13 miles southeast of Meredith, Colorado. It was caused by lightning and was first detected on September 21.

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Fire Update: The Granite Lake Fire has seen no significant growth since last Sunday and is now at 713 acres. Yesterday saw overall moderate fire activity with isolated torching within the fire perimeter.

Closure: Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Weather: Dry conditions are expected today along with lower temperatures and high relative humidity as compared to the last couple of days. Winds will increase throughout the day with gusts picking up late this afternoon.

Smoke: Smoke from wildfires may affect your health. For statewide information on smoke and air quality from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.

MEREDITH, Colo., October 1, 2019 – Effective at noon, October 1, 2019, the White River National Forest has issued a temporary Emergency Area Closure to provide for public safety in the vicinity of the Granite Lake Fire. Forest Road #504 is closed at the junction of 504/504.1E to the end, and Trail #1940 is closed from the South Fork Trailhead to the top of South Fork Pass.

This closure will remain in effect until it is rescinded.

Yesterday’s gusty winds and warm temperatures increased the size of the Granite Lake Fire in a remote area of the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness to 695 acres. Fire growth was predominately to the north, driven by wind gusts. It is actively burning in heavy patches of downed timber and woody debris created by avalanche paths.

Because of increased fire activity, the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District will issue an emergency area closure for public safety of National Forest System Road 504 into the South Fork of the Fryingpan and the South Fork Pass Trail 1940 beginning Oct. 1, 2019.

The fire is now being managed by a Type 3 incident commander. Firefighters continue to monitor the fire from the air and on the ground. Two engines are patrolling the Fryingpan Valley area.

Although the fire is not threatening any structures at this time, it is burning in the direction of water diversion infrastructure. Measures are being taken to prevent impacts to the infrastructure; these may include implementing a sprinkler system or removing and clearing vegetation in the area. The diversion infrastructure is not located in the Wilderness, but is surrounded by wilderness on three sides.

Fire managers have closely evaluated terrain, anticipated weather patterns and the fire’s location. They will implement a ‘confine and contain’ strategy using point protection to manage the Granite Lake Fire to minimize risk to the firefighters and public.

Difficult risk management decisions are made by fire managers on every wildfire. Steep, rocky terrain raises concerns about firefighter exposure in a backcountry firefighting environment. Additional considerations include the fire’s lack of proximity to values at risk, the remote Wilderness location of the fire, and shorter days with cooler fall temperatures that will moderate fire behavior in coming weeks.

Based on these factors, managers formulated their objectives to protect firefighter and public safety. They will use natural barriers such as cliff bands to check the fire while managing to maintain wilderness integrity.

The Granite Lake fire will likely burn and smolder until a season-ending event occurs. Firefighters will remain assigned to the fire, patrolling the fire area from the ground and air. Variances in weather, topography and available fuels will affect the fire’s behavior; at times it may become more active and produce increased smoke. Inciweb and the White River National Forest Facebook page will continue to be updated as fire activity merits.

Smoke may be visible in the coming weeks from Summit County, the Homestake Valley in Eagle County, Leadville in Lake County, and parts of the upper Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Valleys in Pitkin County.