Decker Fire Update 

Tuesday, October 22, 2019 as of 10:00 a.m.
 
Date of Detection: September 8, 2019
Current Size: 8,727 acres
Containment: 55%
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 612 personnel on this incident
CREWS: 19
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 2
TYPE 2 HELICOPTERS: 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 2
ENGINES: 27
DOZERS: 2
WATER TENDERS: 7

·       Today at 10am the pre-evacuation areas of Wellsville, Swissvale, and Zones 2 and 3 of Howard are lifted. Pre-evacuation of Bear Creek and Zone 1 in Howard will remain in place.

 ·       On Monday, October 21, at 10:00am the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office removed the check point on CR 108. Access to Methodist Estates and Boot Hill subdivisions has been reopened; however, people who do not live in these neighborhoods are asked to refrain from driving into the area as there are still fire personnel and vehicles travelling these roads.

·       The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation order for the Bear Creek neighborhood as of 1:00pm on Monday, Oct. 21. Only residents of Bear Creek will be allowed back into the area. Residents must show their re-entry credentials to security at the checkpoint. Bear Creek will remain on a pre-evacuation status until further notice.

·       A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team began assessments in the area of the fire today.
A BAER assessment addresses post-wildfire issues, including suppression activity damage repair, burned area rehabilitation and long-term restoration.

The fire was fairly quiet overnight. Weather is helping to curb fire behavior with increased relative humidity (RH) as a result of the snow at higher elevations, accompanied by cooler temperatures. However, smoke will continue to be visible as the larger diameter fuels within the interior continue to smolder, and winds will continue to be a factor.

The black containment line has been extended in the area of the “thumb” and “fingers” on the E/SE side (Howard/Hwy 50 area). Crews continue working on suppression repair, and have almost completed this section of the Rainbow Trail. Patrols will increase 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 yesterday, in part due to increased relative humidity and cooler temperatures.

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. Additional action may be taken as warranted. Crews have reset structure protection equipment in the Pinyon Ridge and Boot Hill neighborhoods as a precautionary measure only. Suppression repair on CR101 and CR124 are expected to be completed in the next day or two, weather permitting.

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. 

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office lifted evacuations for residents of Bear Creek at 1 pm today, October 21. 
Only residents of Bear Creek are allowed into the area. Residents will have to show their tags to security at the checkpoint.
Bear Creek will remain on a PRE-evacuation status until further notice.

Decker Fire Update
Monday, October 21, 2019 as of 7:00 a.m.
 
Date of Detection: September 8, 2019
Current Size: 8,723 acres
Containment: 35%
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 628 personnel on this incident
 
CREWS: 19
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 2
TYPE 2 HELICOPTERS: 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 2
ENGINES: 30
DOZERS: 2
WATER TENDERS: 8
 
• Hotshot crews on the NE side (Bear Creek / Wellsville / Swissvale area) have completed containment in the Columbine Gulch “thumb” area, with the primary goal of allowing Bear Creek residents back into their homes. Suppression repair needs are also being identified throughout the neighborhood.
• On the N/NE side of the fire (Pinyon Ridge Ranch / Boot Hill / Methodist Estates area), crews are staging structure protection equipment in areas where neighborhoods have been repopulated. Residents can expect to see hoseline, pumps and “pumpkin” water tanks strategically placed throughout the area.
• A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will begin to assess the area of the fire today. A BAER assessment addresses post-wildfire issues, including suppression activity damage repair, burned area rehabilitation and long-term restoration.
• The BLM closure in Chaffee County will be rescinded later today. The BLM closure in Fremont County and in all Forest Service lands will remain in place.
Weather remains a critical factor in fire behavior. A cold front moved through the area overnight, bringing strong winds, cold temperatures, and some snow, which diminished fire activity; however, high winds prevented aerial operations.
 
On the E/SE side (Howard/Hwy 50 area) crews continue identifying areas for suppression rehab and repair, which should be complete in the next couple of days. Until that time, expect to see chipping operations and brush disposal along roadways and the Rainbow Trail. 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 the Methodist repeater site, and a small spot fire in the area, both of which are expected to be contained in the next few days. The area of active fire near Simmons Peak exhibited very little movement yesterday, in part due to increased relative humidity (RH) and cooler temperatures.
 
The fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the N/NW side of the fire is slowly backing down the ridge, and will continue to be monitored. Crews will reset structure protection equipment in the Pinyon Ridge and Boot Hill neighborhoods as a precaution to ensure crews can deploy equipment quickly in the event that wind pushes spot fires over the established fireline. Firefighters will also begin suppression repair in the area. Suppression repair work helps return the land to its previous condition and minimize the environmental impact of fire suppression activities.
 
Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. 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.

UPDATE Sunday, October 20, 2019 as of 7:00 a.m.
 
Date of Detection: September 8, 2019Current Size: 8723 acresContainment: 30%Location: Fire started 9 miles south of, and is now burning 2 miles south of Salida, COCause: LightningResources on Fire: There are currently 684 personnel on this incident
 
CREWS: 21
TYPE 1 HELICOPTERS: 4
TYPE 2 HELICOPTERS: 1
TYPE 3 HELICOPTERS: 3
ENGINES: 30
DOZERS: 3
WATER TENDERS: 9
 
• With the cold front and snow received this morning, fire behavior is expected to be low to moderate; however, single tree torching may be visible, in addition to smoke from interior fire activity in the larger diameter fuels.
• Division T (NE side) activities will continue to focus on constructing direct line in the Columbine Gulch “thumb” area, with the primary goal to allow Bear Creek residents back into their homes as soon as is safely possible.
• Division W/Y (E/SE side) crews continue to scout for possible future contingency line locations and conduct suppression repair and chipping as needed. The spot fire in the SE corner continues to display minimal, creeping activity with moderate smoke.
• Division A/X (W/SW side) crews are ensuring a solid contingency line is established to the west of the Ox Cart burn scar, as well as monitoring the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the N side of the burn scar, which has been extended to reflect lack of fire movement and completion of a strong contingency line.
• BLM road closures east of Highway 285 from the top of Poncha Pass south to the vicinity of Yankee Creek and Rock Creek in Saguache County were lifted at noon on Friday, October 18, and public re-entry (primarily hunters) is taking place. National Forest lands remain closed.
• Division R (N/NE side) is staging structure protection equipment and patrolling areas where neighborhoods have been repopulated. Residents can expect to see hoseline, pumps and “pumpkin” water tanks. Wind may increase activity in existing spot fires, which may be visible after dark.
 
Weather remains a critical factor in fire behavior. A cold front moved through the area overnight, bringing strong winds and cold temperatures, which diminished fire activity even without much measurable precipitation. Today’s lower temperatures and relative humidity (RH) will help limit fire growth, but high winds may prevent aerial operations. Gusts of 45-55 mph are predicted.
 
In Division A/X the large area of active fire near Simmons Peak is slowly backing its way southward, but is still within the indirect line established farther to the south. Suppression repair work continues in areas around established fireline, which helps return the land to its previous condition and minimize the environmental impact of fire suppression activities. The fire near Simmons Peak continues to back down slowly. The public may continue to see smoke from these areas, but fire officials do not anticipate significant fire movement.
 
In Division R, the fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line is slowly backing down, and will continue to be monitored today. Crews will reset structure protection equipment in the Pinon Ridge and and Boot Hill neighborhoods, as a precaution to ensure crews can deploy equipment quickly in the event that the wind pushes spot fires over the established fireline.
 
Crews in Division W/Y are focusing on chipping operations and brush disposal along roadways.
 
Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. Please respect closures. 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. 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
Saturday, October 19, 2019 as of 9:00 a.m.

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: 8,705 acres
Percent Contained: 30     
Total Personnel: 889
Cause:  Lightning
Resources Include: 4 Type-1 hand crews, 14 Type-2 hand crews, 32 engines, 4 dozers, 9 water tenders, 2 masticators
Air Resources: 4 Type-1 (K-MAX, Blackhawk, Chinook), 1 Type-2, and 3 Type 3, and 2 fixed-wing aircraft

Special notes: A Red Flag Warning is in effect between 1:00pm and 10:00pm. Low humidity levels and W/SW wind gusts up to 45 mph are predicted to hit the fire area, increasing the risk of fuels igniting and fire spreading. Aerial operations may be limited by the higher winds. This morning, Great Basin Type 1 Team 2, led by Tony DeMasters, took over incident command. Incoming team members spent Friday shadowing the outgoing Rocky Mountain Type 1 IMT Team 2. The team looks forward to the work ahead, and to meeting the needs of the local community.

Weather: Clear skies return over the fire area today, Relative humidity (RH) will drop to critical levels by early afternoon. Winds will become strong and steady with gusts to 45 mph. Erratic winds are likely on the east side of the fire. Max temperatures will range from 50-54 degrees over the fire and minimum RH will be 14-17%.

Current Situation: Yesterday’s colder temperatures and moisture helped limit fire behavior, but increased activity is expected today. In Division A/X yesterday, the large area of active fire near Simmons Peak continued its slow move southward, but was kept in check by southwesterly winds. It is slowly backing its way southward, but still within the indirect line established farther to the south. Crews on the west side engaged in mopup activities to improve the depth of line along the edge of the fire. They also performed suppression repair work in areas around established fireline, which helps return the land to its previous condition and minimize the environmental impact of fire suppression activities. The mopup and repair work continues today. Fire burning on the edge of the line near Methodist Mountain showed little activity yesterday, but will be closely watched today because of the Red Flag conditions.

Farther north in Division R, the fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line showed less activity yesterday, and will be monitored today. Crews on the north end continued suppression repair work on established fireline, and they will continue that work in the area today.

To the east in Division T, firefighters finished securing the “Rock Finger” area of the fire near Bear Creek yesterday. They made progress in efforts to put fireline around the nearby “Columbine Thumb” and firming up line down the east edge of the fire. That work continues today.

Crews in Division W/Y focused on chipping operations along a new primary control and contingency line between the Wilderness boundary and Howard. It will take another 2-3 days to complete that work. The spot fire on the southeast corner was monitored all day, but showed minimal activity. That fire is in a high remote area, and surrounded by rock on three sides, and will be monitored again today. Firefighters will also assess the area for possible future contingency line locations that would protect values at risk west and south of Howard.

Structure protection crews today will remain in the Bear Creek neighborhood to make sure all equipment is ready if needed Night Operations continues to monitor the fire as they hold and secure fireline.

Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. Please respect closures. 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. For evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or Fremont County Emergency Management: 719-276-7416, 719-276-7418 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.

The BLM-San Luis Valley Field Office has lifted the temporary emergency road closure order issued on October 5 for BLM lands in Saguache County.  The closure was lifted effective 12:00 p.m. today, October 18.   The order was put in place on October 5 to provide for public and firefighter safety on BLM-administered lands in the vicinity of the Decker Fire.
A PDF version of the announcement is attached to this message.
 
 

October 18, 2019 (10 a.m.)

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: 8,694 acres Percent Contained: 30

Total Personnel: 943 Cause:  Lightning

Resources Include: 7 Type-1 hand crews, 16 Type-2 hand crews, 40 engines, 4 dozers, 12 water tenders, 2 masticators 

Special notes: Strong winds are expected over the fire today, meaning an increased risk of dead or burned trees blowing over. Firefighters have been reminded to know the hazards before entering the fire area. The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team and Incident Commander Mark Giacoletto would like to thank the local community for the wonderful cooperation and support we’ve received over the past two weeks. A new team, Great Basin Type 1 Team 2 led by Incident Commander Tony DeMasters, has arrived.  Great Basin team members will be shadowing our team today. Transfer of command will take place on Saturday.

Weather: A low pressure system will bring more cloud cover and cooler temperatures today. Increased humidity levels may lower the ignition potential of fine fuels, but strong winds with gusts to 40 mph are forecast over the fire area, elevating the fire threat. Max temperatures will range from 50-54 degrees over the fire, and minimum RH levels will be 23-27%.

Current Situation: In Division A/X yesterday, a large area of active fire near Simmons Peak continued slowly backing it’s way southward, but still within indirect line established farther to the south. Division leaders are monitoring and will order helicopter water drops to help cool the fire, as needed, when conditions allow. Along the west side, firefighters worked to secure more direct line. That effort will continue today, while other crews will perform suppression repair work along previously established fireline. Aerial operations dropped water on fire along the edge of the line near Methodist Mountain. Fire managers have been considering burn operations to remove fuel from the area, but conditions have not been favorable. They’ll continue monitoring the fire and using water drops to quiet burning activity.

In Division R yesterday, air ops dropped several buckets of water on an area burning along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line. That fire has moved slowly across the first of two retardant lines but so far is holding within the second line. Today fire managers will monitor that area, and more bucket drops may be ordered, if conditions allow. Crews have removed their hoses, pumps and tanks from the Boot Hill neighborhood as well as CR108 and CR110. Today crews will continue suppression repair (the repair of impacts made by fire suppression activities) on fireline.

In Division T, burn operations helped eliminate more fuel in the Bear Creek drainage area. Firefighters mopped up near newly established fireline, adding additional depth to the line. Over the last two days, helicopters have made multiple trips to the area, dropping off slings carrying hoseline, pumps and portable tanks. That “plumbing” now runs down a long stretch of fireline along the east side, providing a water source to defend the line. 

In Division W/Y, helicopter bucket drops helped cool fire burning along Muddy Creek. Aerial crews also delivered morning water drops onto the large spot fire on the southeast corner. Both areas showed minimal activity, and will be monitored today. Crews will also continue improvements on new primary control and contingency line between the Wilderness boundary and Howard. 

Structure protection crews will remain the Bear Creek neighborhood, testing equipment to make sure it is ready, if needed. Other crews will be in the Howard area, assessing future needs. Night Operations continues to monitor the fire as they hold and secure fireline. 

Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. Please respect closures. 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. For evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or Fremont County Emergency Management: 719-276-7416, 719-276-7418 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites. 

Firefighters in Division T are mopping up in the Bear Creek area this afternoon. Mopup involves extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, searching for underground burning roots, felling snags, and moving logs so they won't roll downhill.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 10 pm tonight. Fire managers say all operations are proceeding as planned.
(Photos credit: Mike Fincham)

October 17, 2019 (10 a.m.)

Special notes: A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 10 am to 10 pm. Fuels are historically dry, with a high probability of igniting quickly and intensely. Firefighters have been briefed to be prepared for aggressive fire behavior, and reminded to “Stay focused and watch out for snags” (snags are dead, standing trees and other hazard trees that can be a safety threat to firefighters). In Salida and Howard, smoke may periodically reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Suppression repair work continues in Divisions A/X/R. Fire vehicles are backhauling equipment and structure protection continues in many areas. Please drive carefully in neighborhoods near the fire area.

Weather: Winds will pickup mid-morning, increasing throughout the day, with gusts to 45 mph. The high pressure system moving into the area will also force winds downslope and accelerate warming and drying. Max temperatures will range from 62-66 degrees over the fire, and minimum RH levels will be 8-12%. 

Current Situation: In Division A/X yesterday, active fire continued backing down to the south, throwing up a lot of smoke. It is still within the control features for that area. Aerial operations provided a steady stream of helicopter bucket drops of water to cool it down. More bucket drops will be delivered today, when or as conditions allow. Farther north near Methodist Mountain, helicopters dropped water on several spot fires that continue to pop up along the edge of the fireline. Fire managers are monitoring the area, and considering other tactics to keep the line secure. Dry, fallen aspen leaves continue to spread fire in the area.  Today, firefighters will continue to hold the line, and monitor for spot fires. 

On the north end of Division R yesterday, there was an increase in fuels burning within the fire perimeter due to dry conditions. Helicopter crews delivered bucket drops to cool them down. Air resources also cooled fire activity near the  “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the west edge of the fire. Also yesterday, crews continued suppression repair along established fireline to the north. Suppression repair is a series of actions taken to repair damages and minimize environmental impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. Today firefighters will be on patrol, monitoring fire activity.

In Division T, Firefighters established containment line around the eastern corner of the “Rock Finger” section of fire. This new line is the result of a multi-day direct attack on the fire, and a burn operation that removed fuels adjacent to the new line. That line will be tested today by the Red Flag conditions. Firefighters will be watch for spot fires, mop up and hold the line. 

Fire along Muddy Creek in Division W showed increased heat yesterday. Helicopters hit the fire with bucket drops to help quiet that activity. Work continued on new primary control and contingency line between the Wilderness boundary and Howard. Today, crews will clear out and chip brush along the line. 

In Division Y helicopters continued to drop water on the spot fire in the southeast. That fire is in a high, remote area and surrounded by rock on three sides. Division crews also made progress with work on a section of the new contingency and control line located in their division. These efforts will continue today.

Structure protection crews today will be embedded in the Bear Creek neighborhood, protecting structures from potential spot fires. In the Howard area, crews are installing equipment such as hoses, pumps, and sprinkler kits based on the potential fire risk. Night Operations continues to monitor the fire as they hold and secure fireline. 

Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. Please respect closures. 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. For evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or Fremont County Emergency Management: 719-276-7416, 719-276-7418 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: 8,570 acres Percent Contained: 30

Total Personnel: 889 Cause:  Lightning

Resources Include: 8 Type-1 hand crews, 15 Type-2 hand crews, 36 engines, 4 dozers, 12 water tenders, 2 masticators 

Air Resources: 4 Type-1 (K-MAX, Blackhawk, Chinook), 1 Type-2, and 2 Type 3, and 2 fixed-wing aircraft

CHAFFEE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Salida, Colorado

PRESS RELEASE
October 16, 2019
 
Effective at 10am, Wednesday, October 16, 2019 the evacuation order for Chaffee County residents living on CR 101, Bear Creek, is being cancelled.

CR 101 will remain closed to all other traffic with the exception of Chaffee County residents living on CR 101.

ALL Chaffee County residents who were previously evacuated remain on pre-evacuation status.

CR 108 remains closed to all traffic, with the exception of residents of Boot Hill and Methodist Estates, as well as essential service providers.

Thank You

Sheriff John Spezze