Decker Fire Update

October 30, 2019

Matt Spring, Type 3 Incident Commander
Information Center: (719) 626-1095
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/
Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Interactive map for the Decker Fire: https://tinyurl.com/deckermap

Weather Continues Cool Areas of Heat on the Decker Fire
 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Additional snow and below freezing temperatures have continued to impact the Decker Fire. No fire spread is expected to occur due to this weather and lack of fire behavior. As the area continues to receive precipitation, fuel moisture is steadily increasing. This wet and unseasonably cool weather is predicted to persist. However, large and heavy fuels remain dry enough to retain heat, even below the snowpack.

Current Situation: The weather conditions from the snow impact and freezing temperatures have delayed many crews and equipment from traveling. Firefighters are being demobilized when it is safe to do so. Those that remain continue to work on taking care of the logistical concerns, to minimize the Incident Management Team’s impact on the local community. Safety of all public and firefighters remains the number one priority.

Questions continue on the status of containment of the Decker Fire. Due to the remote and rugged access to some areas of the fire, firefighters could only safely access 62% of the fire perimeter during peak activity. All (100%) of that 62% has been contained. This means firefighters have physically set foot on those firelines to declare those portions of line contained. When looking at the fire map, this is displayed by the black line around a portion of the perimeter.

The brown line around the fire map are the areas crews could not access safely. This brown line will be contained naturally in a season-ending event, which is currently happening with the snow the area is receiving. At this time with the current weather conditions, all areas of the fire remain inaccessible due to snow. Therefore, fire managers are unable to confidently claim that the entire fire perimeter (including the brown lines) is completely contained. The areas with brown lines will be monitored by the local fire crews throughout the winter, though the moisture from the snowpack will eventually put the fire completely out.

Conditions allowing, remaining crews will work to complete suppression repair tasks over the coming days in the areas that will be accessible.

Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Fire Statistics:
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Start Date: September 8, 2019
Size: 8,959 acres
Percent Contained: 100% of the full suppression portion of the fire
Total Personnel: 70
Cause: Lightning
Resources Include: 1 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer
Air Resources: 1 Type-1, 1 Type-3

Decker Fire Update
October 29, 2019, 9:00 a.m.

Matt Spring, Type 3 Incident Commander
Information Center: (719) 626-1095
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/
Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Interactive map for the Decker Fire: https://tinyurl.com/deckermap

More Snow Predicted for the Decker Fire

Weather and Fire Behavior: Fire behavior has been non-existent due to large amounts of snowfall. No fire spread occurred yesterday and none is predicted for today. Large, heavy fuels remain dry enough to retain heat. However, fuel moisture is steadily increasing, and smoldering will continue to subside. Wet and unseasonably cool weather is predicted to persist. Another round of snow is expected today through Wednesday.

Current Situation: Due to conditions from the snow impact, many crews and equipment were demobilized. The remaining firefighters and team will be staged in camp today because of continued weather and safety concerns. All areas of the fire are inaccessible due to snow. Conditions allowing, crews will work to complete suppression repair tasks over the coming days. Safety of all public and firefighters remains the number one priority for the Decker Fire.

Yesterday, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team presented their findings and recommendations for treatments to the Forest Service and local partners. This was the first step in a process of determining actions to address post-fire concerns. A small task group will be formed by local partners and agencies to decide and implement a plan based on these findings.

Two wildfire strategies are being used on the Decker fire - Contain and Confine. 62% of the fire is under a Contain strategy, while the remaining 38% is under the Confine strategy. 100% of the fire under the Contain strategy is complete. The remaining 38% is being confined by natural barriers and indirect fire line. The brown lines on the fire map denote these areas that are under a Confine strategy. These areas have minimal threat of impacting values at risk and therefore limited actions are being used. There are two areas of the fire under the Confine strategy: on the south/southeast side of the fire and on the northwest side of the fire.

Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Fire Statistics:
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Start Date: September 8, 2019
Size: 8,959 acres
Percent Contained: 100
Total Personnel: 123
Cause: Lightning
Resources Include: 2 Crews, 5 Engines, 1 Dozer
Air Resources: 1 Type-1, 1 Type-3

Decker Fire Update
October 28, 2019, 9:00 a.m.

Matt Spring, Type 3 Incident Commander
Information Center: (719) 626-1095
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/
Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Interactive map for the Decker Fire:
https://tinyurl.com/deckermap

More Snow Falls Over the Decker Fire

Special notes: This morning, a Type 3 Incident Command Team (IMT) assumed command of the Decker Fire with Matt Spring as Incident Commander. The Type 3 IMT thanks the Great Basin Type 1 IMT for its proficient management of the Decker Fire and its dedication to the Salida area community.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Snowfall is curbing fire behavior, and no fire spread will occur today. Large, heavy fuels remain dry enough to retain heat, however; fuel moisture is steadily increasing, and smoldering will continue to subside. Wet and unseasonably cool weather is predicted to persist. Another round of snow is expected Tuesday through Wednesday.

Current Situation: Firefighters will be staged in camp today due to weather and safety concerns. All areas of the fire are inaccessible due to snow. Conditions allowing, crews will work to complete suppression repair tasks over the coming days. Fire managers continue to right-size the organization according to conditions and needs. More personnel are set to go home today, however; travel will likely be delayed due to weather. Safety of all public and firefighters remains the number one priority for the Decker Fire.

Today, October 28, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is will present their findings and recommendations for treatments to the Forest Service and local partners. This is one step in a multi-part process of determining actions to address post-fire concerns.

Two wildfire strategies are being used on the Decker fire - Contain and Confine. 62% of the fire is under a Contain strategy, while the remaining 38% is under the Confine strategy. 100% of the fire under the Contain strategy is complete. The remaining 38% is being confined by natural barriers and indirect fire line. The brown lines on the fire map denote these areas that are under a Confine strategy. These areas have minimal threat of impacting values at risk and therefore limited actions are being used. There are two areas of the fire under the Confine strategy: on the south/southeast side of the fire and on the northwest side of the fire.

Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Fire Statistics:
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Start Date: September 8, 2019
Size: 8,959 acres Percent Contained: 100
Total Personnel: 154
Cause: Lightning
Resources Include: 2 Crews, 5 Engines, 1 Dozer
Air Resources: 1 Type-1, 1 Type-3

Decker Fire Information: (719) 626-1095
Call Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/
Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Interactive map for the Decker Fire:
https://tinyurl.com/deckermap

Decker Fire Update
Sunday, October 27, 2019 as of 8:00 a.m.

Date of Detection: September 8, 2019
Current Size: 8,959 acres
Completion: 100%
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Cause: Lightning
Resources on Fire:
There are currently 199 personnel on this incident

CREWS 2
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS 1
ENGINES 5
DOZERS 1

● Two wildfire strategies are being used on the Decker fire - Contain and Confine. 62% of the fire is under a Contain strategy, while the remaining 38% is under the Confine strategy. 100% of the fire under the Contain strategy is complete. The remaining 38% is being confined by natural barriers and indirect fire line. The brown lines on the fire map denote these areas that are under a Confine strategy. These areas have minimal threat of impacting values at risk and therefore limited actions are being used. There are two areas of the fire under the Confine strategy: on the south/southeast side of the fire and on the northwest side of the fire.

● There are NO remaining evacuations or pre-evacuations in the Decker Fire area.

● Fremont County reduced fire restrictions to STAGE 1. There are no fire restrictions within unincorporated Chaffee County. Saguache County is in STAGE 2 restrictions. Restrictions on BLM and USFS have been lifted.

This will be the last update by the Type 1 Great Basin Incident Command Team. Today is considered a “shadow day”, when the Type 1 team hands off all final information to the incoming Type 3 team. The Type 3 team will assume command of the Decker Fire at 7am Monday, October 28. The Incident Command Post with be relocated to the Salida Hotel conference room by 12pm today, October 27. It has been the pleasure of the Type 1 Great Basin Incident Command Team to serve this community. We thank you for your support during this time.

Yesterday, there was a small amount of smoke visible over the northeast area of the fire as snow melted and heavy fuels heated up. Fire crews continued addressing suppression repair needs.

Another cold front moves in today with a chance of freezing drizzle this afternoon. Snow is predicted to begin after midnight tonight and continue through Monday morning. Accumulations over the fire area are expected to be 3 to 6 inches. Maximum temperature today of 45F with humidities 40-45%. Winds from the east/southeast, 10-15mph with gusts up to 25 on the ridgetops. Snow is predicted to return on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Today, firefighters will work on the few suppression repair tasks that remain. The snowy weather continues to diminish chances of active fire behavior on the Decker Fire.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is completing their final analysis and recommendations. On Monday, October 28, they will present their findings and recommendations for treatments to the Forest Service and local partners.

Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Decker Fire Information: (719) 626-1095
Call Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DeckerFire2019/
Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Interactive map for the Decker Fire:
https://tinyurl.com/deckermap

Decker Fire Update
Saturday, October 26, 2019 as of 8:00 a.m.

Date of Detection: September 8, 2019
Current Size: 8,959 acres
Completion: 100%
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Cause: Lightning
Resources on Fire:
There are currently 265 personnel on this incident

CREWS 3
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS 1
ENGINES 6
DOZERS 1
WATER TENDERS 1

● Two wildfire strategies are being used on the Decker fire - Contain and Confine. 62% of the fire is under a Contain strategy, while the remaining 38% is under the Confine strategy. 100% of the fire under the Contain strategy is complete. The remaining 38% is being confined by natural barriers and indirect fire line. The brown lines on the fire map denote these areas that are under a Confine strategy. These areas have minimal threat of impacting values at risk and therefore limited actions are being used. There are two areas of the fire under the Confine strategy.

● The Confine strategy area on the south/southeast side of the fire is being confined by indirect fire lines. Fire is slowing creeping downhill through an aspen grove and having positive effects on the environment. There are no values at risk in this area of the fire.

● The area on the northwest side of the fire is also under a Confine strategy. This area is rugged and does not have safety zones and escape routes for firefighters and is therefore not safe to insert firefighters. This area is being managed through continuous monitoring and the use of helicopters to cool the fire as needed. Indirect fire line has been constructed, however; the likelihood of this part of the fire posing a threat to values at risk is minimal due to weather, terrain and the lack of active fire behavior. If a drying system moves into the area, additional firefighting tactics will be used to further confine the fire in this location.

● There are NO remaining evacuations or pre-evacuations in the Decker Fire area.

● Fremont County reduced fire restrictions to STAGE 1. There are no fire restrictions within unincorporated Chaffee County. Saguache County is in STAGE 2 restrictions. Restrictions on BLM and USFS have been lifted.

Yesterday, fire crews worked with Resource Advisors to properly address suppression repair needs. Crews seeded dozer-impacted areas in Division R on the north/northwest side of the fire.

Today, weather will be warmer than previous days (58-63F) with RHs as low as 18%. Winds will be from 12-18 mph (17-25 mph on ridgetops) with gusts up to 25 mph and up to 40 mph on ridgetops. While most fuels carrying heat are still under snow, the slopes on the west/southwest side will receive more sun, and weather conditions could promote some minimal fire activity in this area. Smoke could still be visible from heavy fuels as they dry and smolder. There is another cold front with snow predicted to move into the fire area on Sunday.

Firefighters will perform suppression repair work in areas they could not formerly access due to the snow. The Incident Command Post at Chaffee County Fairgrounds is being deconstructed and the fairgrounds returned to their previous state. Incident Command will relocate to a large conference room at the Salida Hotel on Sunday, October 27th.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team is analyzing and compiling data to determine what post-wildfire threats may need treatments. A soil burn severity map is forthcoming.

As operational tempo on the Decker Fire slows, the organization is being right-sized accordingly. An orderly transition to a Type 3 Incident Management Team will occur on Monday, October 28th. Agency Administrators and the Type 1 team will spend time transferring knowledge to the Type 3 team on Saturday and Sunday, Oct 26th and Oct 27th.

Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

   

  

Date of Detection: September 8, 2019

Current Size: 8,959 acres 
Containment: 100% 
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO 
Cause: Lightning 
Resources on Fire: There are currently 576 personnel on this incident 
CREWS: 9 
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 1 
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 2 
ENGINES: 16
DOZERS: 1 

WATER TENDERS: 4

●       Two wildfire strategies are being used on the Decker fire - Contain and Confine. 62% of the fire is under a Contain strategy, while the remaining 38% is under the Confine strategy. 100% of the fire under the Contain strategy is complete. The remaining 38% is being confined by natural barriers and indirect fire line. The brown lines on the fire map denote these areas that are under a Confine strategy. These areas have minimal threat of impacting values at risk and therefore limited actions are being used. There are two areas of the fire under the Confine strategy.

●       The Confine strategy area on the south/southeast side of the fire is being confined by indirect fire lines. Fire is slowing creeping downhill through an aspen grove and having positive effects on the environment. There are no values at risk in this area of the fire.

●       The area on the northwest side of the fire is also under a Confine strategy. This area is rugged and does not have safety zones and escape routes for firefighters and is therefore not safe to insert firefighters. This area is being managed through continuous monitoring and the use of helicopters to cool the fire as needed. Indirect fire line has been constructed, however; the likelihood of this part of the fire posing a threat to values at risk is minimal due to weather, terrain and the lack of active fire behavior. If a drying system moves into the area, additional firefighting tactics will be used to further confine the fire in this location.

   As of 12pm yesterday, Oct 24, Fremont County lifted all remaining pre-evacuations in “Zone 1” and Bear Creek. There are now NO remaining evacuations or pre-evacuations in the Decker Fire area. Fremont County reduced fire restrictions to STAGE 1. There are no fire restrictions within unincorporated Chaffee County. Saguache County is in STAGE 2 restrictions. Restrictions on BLM and USFS have been lifted.

Yesterday, the fire area received several inches of snow with approximately 1/3” of total moisture. This kept fire behavior to a minimum with little to no spread. Crews remained staged in camp for part of the day yesterday due to concerns for safety and accessibility. They were able to safely access some parts of the fire in the afternoon. They performed suppression repair work, backhauled equipment, and drained and removed “pumpkins”.   Today, fire behavior is expected to be similar to yesterday’s, however, some smoke may be visible over heavy fuels as they warm and dry. Firefighters will continue suppression repair work. Seeding of dozer-impacted areas will take place in Division R on the north/northwest side of the fire.  The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has completed field assessments in the Decker Fire area. Team members are now analyzing and compiling data to determine what post-wildfire threats are most likely and have the most potential for severe impact. The BAER team will make suggestions to implement treatments on these areas. BAER only prescribes treatments that have been scientifically proven to be effective. BAER will produce a burn severity map in the coming days (we will share this info when it is available. Operational tempo on the Decker Fire is slowing and needs are decreasing. Fire managers are working to right- size the organization accordingly. Several resources will be demobilizing today and in the coming days, allowing them to be utilized on other fires in the country. Agency administrators and fire managers and planning for an orderly transition to a Type 3 Incident Management Team in the coming days.  Closures and Public Safety: San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For questions on please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Date of Detection: September 8, 2019

Current Size: 8,910 acres
Containment: 100%
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Cause: Lightning
Resources on Fire: There are currently 576 personnel on this incident
CREWS: 10
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 2
ENGINES: 21
DOZERS: 1

WATER TENDERS: 6 
  

·       Approximately 4” of snow fell in camp, with higher accumulations up in the area of the fire. Crews will hold in camp until noon, at which time the team will re-evaluate whether it is safe to send firefighters out into the field. It is important to remember that the fire is NOT out, and smoke from larger diameter fuels will continue to be visible.

·       As of 8:00 am, the Chaffee County Sheriff cancelled all Stage 2 Fire Restrictions within unincorporated Chaffee County. Residents are reminded that this does not include lands within
the USFS or BLM boundaries.

·       All pre-evacuation orders which were in place for Chaffee County residents are also lifted.

·       The focus in all areas of the fire is switching from suppression to suppression repair and backhaul of equipment. This involves clearing and chipping brush, repairing dozer and handlines, and installing erosion control measures, as well as removing pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and “pumpkin” water tanks.

·       A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continues conducting assessments in the
area of the fire. A BAER assessment addresses post-wildfire threats to life and safety, property,
and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and takes immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms.

 

Fire activity continues to taper off and containment is now being reported at 100%. Snow overnight helped curb fire behavior. Smoke will continue to be visible as the larger diameter fuels within the interior of the fire continue to smolder, and winds will continue to be a factor.

 

Due to the diminished threat of the fire spreading, crews will no longer operate after dark. Structure protection equipment is being picked up in many areas where it has been determined that the threat has diminished to the point that it can be removed. Some “pumpkin” water tanks may remain, but all pumps and hose were pulled to protect equipment from the predicted snowstorm.

 

The spot fire in the SE corner continues to display minimal activity with occasional smoke, and the area of active fire near Simmons Peak exhibited very little movement for the past several days. The fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the N/NW side will continue to be monitored. Suppression repair is ongoing, with water bars being installed in some areas for erosion protection.

 

Closures and Public Safety: For road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County, please refer

to the following resources. San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For evacuation or pre-evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Decker Fire Update
Wednesday, October 23, 2019 as of 7:00 a.m.
 
Date of Detection: September 8, 2019
Current Size: 8,910 acres
Containment: 75%
Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, CO
Cause: Lightning
Resources on Fire: There are currently 576 personnel on this incident
CREWS: 10
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 2
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 2
ENGINES: 25
DOZERS: 2
WATER TENDERS: 6
 
• As of 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 22, the Fremont County Sheriff's Office lifted the pre-evacuation order for zones 2 & 3 of Howard, and the communities of Wellsville/Swissvale/Box Canyon. The pre-evacuation order for Bear Creek and Zone 1 in Howard will remain in place.
• The temporary emergency closure for BLM-administered lands in Chaffee and Fremont Counties was adjusted at noon on Tuesday, October 22. The closure order for BLM-administered lands in Chaffee County was lifted; the closure order remains in effect for BLM-administered lands in Fremont County.• A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continues conducting assessments in the area of the fire. A BAER assessment addresses post-wildfire threats to life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and takes immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms.
• Due to decreased fire activity, no smoke outlook will be provided from this point forward. Analysts expect air quality to remain good; some smoke may be visible from smoldering fuels, but it is not anticipated to affect air quality.
 
The fire has not shown much movement over the last 24 hours. Weather is helping to curb fire behavior with increased relative humidity (RH) and cooler temperatures. Smoke will be visible as the larger diameter fuels within the interior of the fire continue to smolder, and winds will continue to be a factor. Snow is in the forecast. Due to the diminished threat of the fire spreading, crews will no longer operate after dark. Structure protection equipment is being picked up in many areas where it has been determined that the threat has diminished to the point that it can be removed.
 
The black containment line in the area of the “thumb” and “fingers” on the E/SE side (Howard/Hwy 50 area) continues to be extended to the south. Crews are working on suppression repair, and have almost completed this section of the Rainbow Trail. Patrols have been increased in the Bear Creek area now that the area has been repopulated. The spot fire in the SE corner continues to display minimal activity with occasional smoke.
 
The focus of work on the W/SW side (Poncha Pass/US 285 area) continues to be improving containment lines in the area of the Methodist repeater site, as well as suppression repair. The area of active fire near Simmons Peak exhibited very little movement for the past several days.
 
The fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the N/NW side is slowly backing down the ridge, and will continue to be monitored, with additional ground and aerial assets being used as warranted. Suppression repair is ongoing, with water bars being installed in some areas for erosion protection.
 
Closures and Public Safety: For road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County, please refer to the following resources. San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradoFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMClosure. Please respect closures. For evacuation or pre-evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office: 719-276-5555 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

Royal Gorge Field Office Seasonal and Emergency Closures:

Decker Fire Temporary Emergency Closure for Royal Gorge Field Office Lands in Chaffee and Fremont counties:

October 22 - Partial Closure Order Rescission:

Subject:
Rescission of Emergency Closure, Chaffee County, Colorado 

Action:
The Royal Gorge Field Office Manager is lifting a portion of the previous Temporary Emergency Area Closure on Public Lands as stated below: 

"Notice is hereby given that a temporary emergency closure for public andfirefighler safety in relation to the Decker Fire is in effect on public lands administered by the Royal Gorge Field Office, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The temporary emergency closure includes public lands located south and southwest of Highway 50 in the Salida and Wellsville area including areas such as Methodist Mountain and Bear Creek."

Summary:
The previous order temporarily closed all SLM-managed public lands located south and southwest of Highway SO in the Salida and Wellsville, Colorado area. The rescission of a portion of the closure area is within Chaffee County only from Poncha Springs to west of the Bear Creek Subdivision. An area closure remains in effect as described in Fremont County at this time. 

Maps of the affected area and other documents associated with this closure are available at the Royal Gorge Field Office, 3028 E. Main Street, Canon City, Colorado 81212. Under the authority of Section 303 (a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1733 (a)), 43 CFR 8360.0-7 and 43 CFR 8364.1, the BLM will enforce the following rule (s) in the area identified in this closure notice. All public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Chaffee County are now open to the public. 

Effective Date:
This order shall be effective October 22, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. 

Address:
Copies of this order can be obtained at the BLM, Royal Gorge Field Office, 3028 East Main Street, Canon City, Colorado 81212. 

For further information on this closure order please contact: Keith Berger, Field Manager, Telephone (719) 269-8515

Today at 10am The Fremont County Sheriff's Office lifted Pre-evacuation status for the areas of Wellsville, Swissvale and Zones 2 and 3 of Howard.  Pre-evacuations will remain in place for Zone 1 in Howard and the Bear Creek area.