Heat lingers in heavy fuels in the higher elevation areas of the Derby Fire. The term “heavy fuel” refers to dead trees (also called snags) that are larger than 3 inches in diameter. Large stumps, standing snags and fallen logs are all included in this category.
The larger size of these dead trees makes them slow to ignite, but once smoldering, they’ll hold heat for extended amounts of time. It can take multiple weeks for them to adjust to changes to moisture levels in the atmosphere – earning them the label of “1,000 hour fuels.”
On Wednesday, August 27, 2025, firefighters worked to construct handline on the southeast side of the Derby Fire. When crews encounter burning snags as they construct control lines they use a variety of tools to extinguish the flames. S.Rawding/Derby Fire.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens
Location:Â 13 miles north of Dotsero, CO Start Date:Â 8/16/2025; Cause:Â Lightning Size:Â Est. 5,735 acres Completion/Containment:Â 5% Total personnel: 824
Key message: Â
Firefighters continue to build and strengthen control lines and scout for access routes. Smoke may be visible as interior fuels reheat during sunbreaks. Wet weather will temporarily moderate fire activity until drier conditions return.
Current status:
Firefighters are actively assessing fireline construction routes on the western side of the fire. Scouting involves mapping proposed routes and detailing the type and number of resources needed. Along the southwestern edge of the fire, crews are reinforcing control lines by searching for lingering heat and removing or extinguishing still smoldering vegetation. Called mopping up, this fire suppression tactic prevents fire spread as it limits the opportunity for embers to roll or blow across the control line into unburned fuels. On the southeastern and eastern edges firefighters are using chainsaws, hand tools and heavy equipment to continue to build line. Crews are building secondary control lines on the eastern side of the fire where hazardous trees and heavier fuel types prohibit working directly on the fire’s edge. Air resources are evaluating proposed helispot locations to have medical evacuation sites closer to where firefighters are working. Structure protection crews continue to improve and maintain fire defenses around more than 500 structures along Sweetwater Road and Red Dirt Creek Road.
Weather and fire behavior:
Cool and humid weather conditions continue over the next few days. Remnants of hurricane Juliette is expected to bring showers Friday These scattered storms will bring moisture and produce gustier winds. Drier, warmer weather is predicted Monday or Tuesday. Minimal fire behavior is expected, but daytime smoke may be visible. When periods of sunlight dry and warm vegetation, fire activity is increasing at higher elevation areas within the fire perimeter. Dead and downed trees hold heat where hot surfaces are not exposed to moisture. The fire may creep slowly in aspen stands that have not burned completely.
Closures and special messages:
The Colorado River, Sweetwater, and Red Dirt Creek Roads have all been reopened, and the Garfield County and Eagle County Sheriff’s Offices have changed the evacuation status for Sweetwater Valley, Sheep Creek and Red Dirt Creek areas to pre-evacuation (READY) status. More evacuation information is available at https://arcg.is/S0u4G and www.ecemergency.org.
Equipo 3 de Gestión de Incidentes Complejos de las Montañas Rocosas del Norte,Comandante de Incidente Mike Behrens
Ubicación: 13 millas al oeste de Dotsero, CO Fecha de inicio: 08/16/2025; Causa: Rayos  Tamaño: Est. 5,735 acres Finalización/Contención: 5%      Personal total: 824
Mensaje clave:
Los bomberos continĂşan construyendo y reforzando las lĂneas de control y buscando rutas de acceso. Es posible que se observe humo a medida que los combustibles interiores se recalientan durante los claros de sol. El clima hĂşmedo moderará temporalmente la actividad del fuego hasta que se reanude condiciones secas.
Las condiciones climáticas frescas y hĂşmedas continuarán durante los prĂłximos dĂas. Se espera que los remanentes del huracán Juliette traigan lluvias el viernes. Estas tormentas dispersas traerán humedad y producirán vientos más racheados. Se pronostica un clima más seco y cálido el lunes o martes. Se espera un comportamiento mĂnimo del fuego, pero podrĂa verse humo durante el dĂa. Cuando los perĂodos de luz solar secan y calientan la vegetaciĂłn, la actividad del fuego aumenta en las zonas de mayor altitud dentro del perĂmetro del incendio. Los árboles muertos y derribados retienen el calor donde las superficies calientes no están expuestas a la humedad. El fuego podrĂa propagarse lentamente en los arboledas de álamos temblones que no se han quemado completamente.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire weather update 8-27-2025:
Incident Meteorologist, Jason Straub, discusses the upcoming weather forecast.
More light rain last night and early this morning. Cumulative total is 0.7″. Much lower chances of rain today as we switch to a drying period instead of monsoonal flow.
Smoke continues from smoldering with some single tree torching observed yesterday.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
#DerbyFire Ops Update Monday morning, Aug. 28, 2025. Philip Knaub, Operations Sections Chief, discusses firefighting tactics on the Derby Fire. Sunbreaks are rekindling smoldering conifer trees at higher elevations within the fire perimeter and smoke will be visible during periods of sunshine today. Heat remains despite the rain. Firefighters are building secondary control lines on the eastern side of the fire where hazardous terrain, snags, and heavier fuel types make safe access more difficult. Control line construction continues on the southeastern fire edge. Firefighters are mopping up (removing and extinguishing burning vegetation) and patrolling completed control lines. On the west side, incident managers are evaluating a potential spike camp location for smokejumpers to more easily access the most active part of the fire. We expect to see an increase in containment over the next few days.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Derby Fire Quick Facts: August 28, 2025 Total acreage: 5,723 acres 4% contained 824 personnel
Firefighters continue to strengthen control line along the southeastern side of the fire. Within the fire footprint, smoke may be visible as sunlight rekindles isolated areas of smoldering timber. The mix of wetting and drying weather, varying winds, and patchwork fuel types lead to inconsistent fuel consumption across the incident. The rock outcrop in the rear of the photo is near the fire origin.
Photo: Looking northwest from Sugarloaf Mountain on the southeast side of the Derby Fire. S.Rawding/Derby Fire.
Location: 11 miles south of Meeker, Colorado Start Date: 08/02/2025 Cause: Lightning Size: Lee Fire: 137,758 acres Containment: Lee Fire: 90% 215 Total Personnel; 9 Engines; 2 Hand Crews; 2 Water Tenders; 2 Dozers
CURRENT STATUS
Crews will continue patrols along the fire perimeter today to ensure it stays within its current footprint. Suppression repair operations are moving forward in close coordination with Resource Advisors and local agencies, following the approved Suppression Repair Plan.
Repair work is addressing areas disturbed by suppression activities, with crews working to stabilize firelines, restore ground conditions, and remove equipment no longer needed on the line. These efforts are an important step in reducing impacts and supporting long-term recovery efforts across the fire area.
Progress continues steadily as firefighters remain focused on these repair and patrol operations while working toward complete containment.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Storm chances remain in the forecast, with the highest potential for development on the southern portion of the fire. Storms are expected to track from the southwest to the northeast, with the best opportunity for development between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. If skies clear during the late morning, storms are likely to form and bring rain, lightning, and the potential for localized flooding; if clouds remain in place, conditions may stay limited to lighter, scattered showers.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Wildland firefighting can be dangerous work, and our crews are always preparing for the unexpected. In this video, a Forest Service fire suppression module practices training for what to do if a firefighter is hurt on the fireline or in a remote area. These drills make sure that if the unfortunate happens, crews are ready to take care of each other and get everyone home safe.
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3
Today marks the wrap-up of operations at the Livestock Evacuation Center in Eagle County. Many residents have safely picked up their animals and returned home. We’re grateful to everyone who helped care for these animals during the fire response, and to the community for their support. The Small Animal Shelter remains open for anyone who still needs a safe place for pets.
Video shows a glimpse of some of the animals that were cared for at the livestock center.