REGISTER for emergency alerts at garco911.com
SUBSCRIBE for emails from this feed - click at upper right
VIEW: Inciweb wildfires | CDOT routes | NOAA storms | CAIC avalanches
Garfield County | Accessibility
Today at 6 am, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Team Two transferred command of the Spring Creek Fire to the local Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 team. Updates will continue though the official Spring Creek Fire Facebook page. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team truly enjoyed serving Garfield County the past two weeks and appreciates the hospitality and support.
This will be our last operational briefing with Planning Operations Section Chief Trainee, Jeramy Dietz.
We want to thank the community of Parachute, CO for allowing us to serve you. Further information on the Spring Creek Fire can be obtained from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit starting tomorrow.
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under investigation
Size: 3,286 acres
Containment: 50%
Total personnel: 480
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
July 11, 2023, 9:05 a.m. – Current situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two is coordinating with the local Type 3 team to provide a smooth transition for the Spring Creek Fire. To ensure the fire is at the appropriate point for the exchange in leadership, Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two fire managers and firefighters are working hard to improve containment and finish strong.
Yesterday, there was minimal fire behavior and firefighters worked the edge of the fire gaining more containment. The repetition and hard work of “mopping-up”, extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, will continue today. In addition, firefighters are back hauling equipment no longer needed and providing suppression repair, mitigating the effects of firefighting efforts. Firefighters will patrol all sides of the fire, but the north side remains more active.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two will officially transfer command of the Spring Creek Fire back to the local Type 3 team on Wednesday morning; therefore, this is our final report. Thank you for your support of the team and the firefighters.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to restricted traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather and smoke information: High temperatures, and low humidity are predicted over the next several days. Winds will be close to 20 mph. Near critical fire weather continues in the region Tuesday through Thursday. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary flight restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire information phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023
Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov
InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
Starting Wednesday, 7/12: Please contact the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit for further information.
7.11.123, 6:24 am – I-70 is open at mile marker 125, westbound, Hanging Lake Tunnel.
7.11.23, 6:02 am – I-70 is closed at mile marker 125 westbound, Hanging Lake Tunnel, due to an accident.
Operational Planning Section Chief Trainee, Jeramy Dietz with the operational briefing for July 10.
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under investigation
Size: 3,286 acres
Containment: 46%
Total personnel: 497
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
July 10, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – Current situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two is beginning a transition with a local Type 3 team to transfer command of the Spring Creek Fire. This change to a smaller organization is possible due to the successful suppression efforts over the past week; additional containment; and decreased fire behavior and intensity. The two incident management teams will spend the next two days sharing knowledge, data, and observations to ensure a seamless transition while work continues on the fire.
Yesterday helicopters and engines worked with firefighters to strengthen the holding line and gain more containment. There is a good bit of repetition at this point as firefighters revisit the same areas of the fire line, checking to make sure that no pockets of intense heat remain. Called “mopping-up” this hard physical labor process is essential in extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines.
As certainty in the strength of the containment line is increased, firefighters will shift to providing suppression repair, the process of mitigating the effects of firefighting efforts like flipping displaced vegetation back to root side down and placing water bars in the fire line to prevent erosion. Firefighters will work all sides of the fire, but the north side remains a bit more active than the rest.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to restricted traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather and smoke information: Monday will be partly cloudy with a chance of virga in the morning. High temperatures, and low humidity are predicted over the next several days. Winds will be close to 20 mph. Near critical fire weather continues in the region Tuesday through Thursday. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary flight restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire information phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023
Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov
InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3,286 acres
Containment: 39%
Total Personnel: 531
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current Situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two used helicopters and engines to augment the efforts of the firefighters as they worked to clean up the edge of the fire after the burnout. Substantial work was done on the holding line at the top of the ridge in Division M. The fire is still moving slowly through pockets of denser fuel. Clumps of trees within the fire perimeter may occasionally torch over the next few days, but there is little likelihood that the fire will travel outside of the holding lines.
A Red Flag Warning expired at 9 p.m. last evening; however, exceptionally dry air Tuesday to Thursday will bring the hottest days so far. That could be a factor driving fire activity since fire behavior specialists noted this fire consistently reacts to direct sunlight and the drying and preheating of fuel.
Yesterday, the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was flown over portions of the fire using infrared sensors to check for heat. This versatile tool safely aids firefighters in determining areas that may need additional attention. Smoke will be intermittently present for some time both from the smoldering fire and from an exposed oil shale seam.
Firefighters will continue to focus on holding the perimeter today and gaining more containment. In the area where the containment line is secure, firefighters are starting to remove equipment no longer needed from the line. This backhaul process is a time-consuming effort. Items like hoses need to be cleaned and rerolled in preparation for the next fire.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather & Smoke Information: Clear skies, high temperatures, and extremely low humidity are predicted over the next several days. Winds will be close to 15 mph. A strong inversion will again develop overnight and burn off as the day warms. Near critical fire weather continues in the region. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3,230 acres
Containment: 37%
Total Personnel: 532
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current Situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two took advantage of ideal conditions yesterday to continue with the carefully planned ignitions which have been very successful over the past few days.
Aerial ignitions inside the holding lines deprive the fire of fuel and limit the opportunity for the fire growth outside the established holding line. Instead of burning one large area as is often done as a containment strategy, the team identified small segments to burn and strategically planned the best sequence of these units to get the most effective results. These decisions are based on predicted weather, prevailing winds, terrain, vegetation type, fuel moisture, and fire behavior modeling.
Yesterday, both an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and a helicopter were used to dispense the spheres used during aerial ignitions. A UAS can only carry a limited number of plastic spheres before it needs to return and reload whereas a helicopter can carry a much greater supply. However, there are heightened safety concerns when a helicopter is used because of increased exposure and risk to the personnel on board. Because of the complexity of the operation, fire managers decided to alternately use the UAS and helicopter to provide the greatest safety measures.
After several days of ignitions, firefighters will focus on holding the perimeter today. Part of the strategy is allowing some of the remaining fire to continue to creep through the interior and finish consuming ground fuels. Securing the edge of the fire is an arduous task. While the long, hot days increase the physical challenge of fighting fire, the firefighters’ persistent efforts will slowly add more containment.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather & Smoke Information: Clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidity are predicted for the next several days. Winds will be close to 20 mph. A strong inversion will again develop overnight and burn off as the day warms. Near critical fire weather continues in the region with a Red Flag Warning for today. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
7.8.23, 9:31 pm – Road open – both lanes of I-70 are open at mile marker 119 eastbound, Glenwood Springs.
7.8.23, 1:30 pm – Between Exit 119: No Name and Exit 123: Shoshone from Mile Point 119 to Mile Point 121 – the right lane is closed due to vehicle recovery. Watch for slow moving traffic.
7.8.23, 11:51 am – I-70 was closed westbound at exit 116, due to crash. No vehicles over 35 feet in length allowed on Independence Pass, Colorado Highway 82, mile posts 47-72.
7.8.23, 9:16 am – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 116 eastbound, Glenwood Springs exit, due to an accident.
Carbondale, Colo. – On July 7, 2023, at approximately 7:26 p.m., Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District was dispatched to 150 Midland Loop (Aspen Glen Subdivision) for a report of a structure fire.
Upon arrival, crews found a single-family structure that was under construction with smoke and flames coming out of the front and side of the residence. The fire had also extended into the roof and was moving quickly to the other side of the structure. Firefighters from Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and Roaring Fork Fire departments attacked the fire with a ladder truck, fire engines, and numerous hose lines.
“When we arrived on scene, the fire was coming out of three sides of the structure. The firefighters worked quickly to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures, trees, and the grassy area behind the residence. Our crews worked together to prevent a larger tragedy,” said Battalion Chief Ashley Buss Greene.
The fire will be investigated for cause and origin by Carbondale Fire. No loss amount has been determined at this time, though the structure is a total loss. There were no injuries to firefighters or bystanders.
Carbondale Fire responded with four fire apparatus. Glenwood Springs Fire Department responded with two fire engines, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue responded with a fire engine and ambulance. There were 22 personnel on scene. Garfield County Sheriff’s Office also responded to this incident.
Crews are still on scene, and will be monitoring the fire throughout the night.
July 7, 2023, 10:17 a.m. – Operational update from the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2. Jeramy Dietz, Planning Operations Section Chief Trainee, gives us an overview of each division’s operational plan for the day.
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under investigation
Size: 3,200 acres
Containment: 37%
Total personnel: 535
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current situation: The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two continues improving the holding lines around the fire and removing fuel from inside the perimeter. The smoke column visible yesterday was indicative of a successful burnout in the thick oak and mahogany brush on the west end where firefighters connected the fire to the holding lines.
When this incident began in late June, much of the vegetation in the fire area was still green and moist. The wind became a significant factor for fire growth because it contributed to rapid drying of the vegetation ahead of fire. With temperatures in the 90s this week, the vegetation is quickly drying out even without the effect of the wind or the fire. It’s much more receptive to burning than even a week ago. Fire behavior specialists have noted the fire responds to direct heat from sunny skies, so the lack of cloud cover in the next few days could lead to increased fire activity.
Given that fuels will continue to dry, fire managers plan additional aerial ignitions to strengthen the holding lines, further separating the fire from drying fuels. There is variation in how cured the herbaceous and woody fuels are depending on their elevation within the fire. At the 9,000’ level these live fuels are more than 200% moister than an average year, setting new records, while at the 7,000’ level the fuels are matching the historical average and are now fully receptive to burning.
Carefully planned ignitions inside the holding lines will deprive the fire of fuel and limit the opportunity for winds to escalate the fire. The plan for today is to keep tying the fire into the holding line by burning out small units at a time.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather and smoke information: Clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidity are predicted for the next several days. Winds will be close to 15 mph. A strong inversion will again develop overnight and burn off as the day warms. Near critical fire weather continues in the region. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary flight restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023
Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov
InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
July 6, 2023 – Spring Creek Fire community meeting video at Grand Valley Fire Protection District in Parachute, Colorado.
Video courtesy of City of Rifle Community TV and Michael Churchill