Spring Creek Fire July 3

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two

Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 2,932 acres
Containment: 37%
Total Personnel: 539
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO

Current Situation: The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2 will continue to prepare for critical fire weather conditions expected on Tuesday, July 4, including high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds. Firefighters’ efforts include patrolling and looking for hot spots inside the fire perimeter that could again become active with strong winds. Hand crews and heavy equipment will improve and expand hand and dozer lines already in place. One piece of equipment, a masticator, is similar to a wood chipper; it “chews up” heavy vegetation and trees, widening the fuel break.


The incident management team includes both its own incident meteorologist and a fire behavior analyst who work cooperatively to predict fire activity and growth based on weather, vegetation, topography, historical fire data, and other factors. Their contributions further assist the team with proactive and contingency planning.


Due to the weather forecast, the plan to ignite pockets of unburned dense vegetation in the NE corner of the fire (Division P on the map) was delayed yesterday. The intent of this action was to tie two spot fires into the main fire perimeter near the area where crews have been working with heavy equipment to build a substantial fire line.


Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution with increase in fire personnel on the roadway.
Weather & Smoke Information: The weather is predicted to continue to be warm and dry. Light NW winds on Monday are expected to noticably increase on Tuseday with possible gusts up to 40 mph. Tuesday will likely bring the most critical fire weather conditions this area has seen since Monday, June 26 when the fire grew rapidly. Residents are asked to help reduce any new fire starts during the holiday’s Fire Weather Watch that would pull resources away from the Spring Creek Fire during this weather event.


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. 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: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023
Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information

Spring Creek Fire July 3

GCSO: Missing juvenile in Garfield County

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

UPDATE: July 4, 3:57 pm – The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office reported that Ayla Weston was found and returned to her parents.

GARFIELD COUNTY, CO. –  The following description, information and picture was posted on the Garfield County, Colorado Sheriff’s Facebook page. Please post or share as soon as possible. Hopefully we can locate this person. Our sources indicate that she was last seen in Rifle/New Castle area. She was visiting a relative in Rifle, but originally was from the Craig area.

Ayla Marie Weston


Please Share!

Missing Juvenile 

If you have any information, please call the non-emergency dispatch number at 970-625-8095 and ask for the deputy on duty.

Name: Ayla Marie Weston

Age: 16 years

Height: 5’10”

Weight: 124 lbs.

Eyes: Brown

Hair: Brown Medium Length

Last Seen: 7/1/2023 at 7 pm in Rifle, CO.

Last Seen Wearing: Black Crop Top, Black/Grey Checkered Sweats, Black Vans, Belly Piercing

Potentially between Rifle and New Castle. 

All assistance in this matter is appreciated.

GCSO: Missing juvenile in Garfield County

Spring Creek Fire – July 2

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Two

Top of Div Z a view from Crane Valley Interagency Hotshot Crew as they crest the ridge

Top of Div Z a view from Crane Valley Interagency Hotshot Crew as they crest the ridge – pictures above and below

Top of Div Z a view from Crane Valley Interagency Hotshot Crew as they crest the ridge

July 2 Spring Creek Fire map
July 2 map of Spring Creek Fire

Indirect dozer line from Div P photo credit Mark Abrahamson HEQB

Indirect dozer line from Div P photo credit Mark Abrahamson HEQB

Indirect dozer line from Div P photo credit Mark Abrahamson HEQB

Afternoon operational update from the field July 2, 2023:

Crews are making great progress on both direct and indirect line.

In Division Z crews are working direct and in the black securing the line and looking for hot spots to extinguish.

In Division P crews continue to work on dozer line and clearing vegetation for the indirect line.

July 2 Spring Creek Fire briefing video

Today’s operational update from the Rocky Mountain Critical Incident Management Team 2.

Jeramy Dietz, Planning Operations Section Chief Trainee, delivers today’s operations plan and coordination with the Incident Meteorologist (IMET) and Long Term Fire Analyst (LTAN).

July 2, 2023
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date Reported: June 24, 2023 Cause: Under Investigation Size: 2,925 acres Containment: 25%
Total Personnel: 521
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current Situation: The Spring Creek Fire experienced minimal growth yesterday.


Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 2 continued improving containment lines. While the percentage of containment remained about the same, firefighters are making good progress on the work of strengthening and connecting sections of fireline. Making sure the fireline is secure is especially important because there is a Red Flag Weather Warning predicted for July 4th. Fire managers are looking at the predicted conditions and are modeling fire behavior so they are prepared to deal with the likely conditions. The varied fuels and extreme terrain still present substantial challenges. Today firefighters will continue work to gain more containment around the fire, cool hot spots along the edge, cut snags that may carry fire across the lines if they fell, and strengthen current fireline. Crews may possibly ignite some pockets of unburned fuel in areas of dense vegetation to provide a wider barrier if weather conditions allow. Providing for firefighter safety is always a primary priority, but fire managers and firefighters are even more aware of the gravity of their work today, National Wildland Firefighter Day.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution with increase in fire personnel on the roadway.

Weather & Smoke Information: The weather is predicted to continue to be warm and dry with clear skies for the next two days. Light NW winds of 5-10 mph are predicted. Overnight humidity recovery is expected to be poor causing the fire to become more active earlier in the day, but no significant movement is expected today. By Tuesday, the weather is predicted to grow warmer and much windier creating near critical fire weather conditions. The Spring Creek Fire is producing smoke that may affect air quality.

For information on current air quality and related health concerns, visit Garfield County air quality or AirNow.


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. 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: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information

Spring Creek Fire – July 2

ReachWell app provides emergency notifications in language of your choice

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (GarCo911)

June 27, 2023, 9:20 a.m. – Are you signed up for emergency notifications with GCECA? Emergencies happen in the blink of an eye and can change very quickly! This is how we reach you for things such as evacuations in the event of an emergency that affects your address. Sign up now at www.garco911.com by following the links for emergency notifications. Do you need your messages delivered in a different language? After signing up, download the ReachWell App and select the language of your choice.

Graphic on how to sign up for emergency notifications.
Graphic in Spanish on how to sign up for emergency notifications.
ReachWell app provides emergency notifications in language of your choice

GarCo911: Eastbound Highway 82 reopened at mile marker 6.5

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

May 2, 2023, 6:13 p.m. – Road open: Highway 82 is open eastbound, just before Thunder River Market intersection.

May 2, 2023, 4:18 p.m. – Highway 82 is closed at mile-marker 6.5, eastbound, just before Thunder River Market intersection, due to an accident.

GarCo911: Eastbound Highway 82 reopened at mile marker 6.5

GarCo911: Interstate 70 (east bound) closed at Glenwood Springs, MM 116

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

March 22, 2023, 10:53 a.m. – I-70 is open at mile-marker 116 EB, Glenwood Springs. Please drive with care.

March 22, 2023, 10:01 a.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 116 EB, Glenwood Springs, for a safety closure. There are multiple accidents along I-70. Please drive with care.

GarCo911: Interstate 70 (east bound) closed at Glenwood Springs, MM 116

GarCo911: Eastbound Interstate 70 closed at mile marker 116 due to an accident

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

February 16, 2023, 4:44 p.m., – I-70 is open at MM116, Glenwood Canyon.

February 16, 2023, 2:04 p.m. – Eastbound Interstate 70 is closed at mile marker 116, Glenwood Canyon, due to an accident.

Colorado Department of Transportation

February 16, 2023, 2:24 p.m. – I-70 EB, closed, MP 116, due to a jack-knifed CMV in Glenwood Canyon, no estimated time of reopening. 

GarCo911: Eastbound Interstate 70 closed at mile marker 116 due to an accident