Northwest Colorado Interagency Fire

Contact: Patrick Kieran Public Information Officer (720) 679-4234
Location: Approximately 28 miles North of Loma, Colorado.
Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management, Grand Junction Field Office, and White River Field Office, Private.
Discovered: 08/12/2023 01:52 p.m.
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation type: Beetle Kill Spruce/Conifer, Mountain Brush
Estimated size: 246 acres
Containment: 65%
Threatened structures: 1 Historical Homestead
Current status: Increased showers expected over the fire area. The Northern Utah Type 3 Interagency Management Team has command of this fire. Fire suppression actions continue while maintaining safety for the public and firefighters. Current size is 246 acres, burning in a decadent Spruce/Conifer beetle kill Forest. Less than 60 fire personal comprising of Aviation, Crews, Engines, and Overhead.
Planned actions: The Northern Utah Type 3 Interagency Management Team will transition command of the Pike Ridge Fire back to Northwest District Fire on Monday, 9/11. Fire resources continue to build direct fire line when targets of suppression opportunity are possible. Mop up of the fire perimeter is ongoing. Structure protection of non-occupied historic homestead is complete. Hand Crews and Engines are preparing County Roads as a holding feature. Resources are removing vegetation along roads to lessen fire intensity if these County Roads need to be ignited to perform a burnout operation. The use of mechanical equipment has assisted this process. Fire and Land Managers are constantly assessing resources, communications, and working partnerships while ensuring public and firefighter safety.
Evacuations and closures: No evacuations.
Closures: No closures.
Smoke: Smoke will be visible from the Grand Valley, Meeker and Rangely, Co areas. Smoke is not impacting any roadway directly. Go to www.airnow.gov to view local airsheds and National Smoke Report.
Aviation safety: Aircraft may be used over the Pike Ridge Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) FDC 3/9155 is in place through 09/22/2023. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

Northwest Colorado Interagency Fire

Contact: Patrick Kieran, Public Information Officer (720) 679-4234
Location: Approximately 28 miles North of Loma, Colorado.
Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management, Grand Junction Field Office, and White River Field Office, Private.
Discovered: 08/12/2023 01:52 p.m.
Cause: Lightning
Vegetation type: Beetle Kill Spruce/Conifer, Mountain Brush
Estimated size: 242 acres.
Containment: 0%
Threatened structures: 1 historical homestead
Current status: Weather conditions are drying out and wind gusts of 25 mph are anticipated for Wednesday afternoon. The next round of Monsoon moisture is Friday through the weekend. Some smoke can be seen in the area. The Northern Utah Type 3 Interagency Management Team has completed Transfer of Command on Tuesday, 08/29. Fire suppression actions continue while maintaining safety for the public and firefighters. Current size is 242 acres, burning in a decadent Spruce/Conifer beetle kill Forest. There are now over 120 fire personal comprising of Aviation, Crews, Engines, and Overhead.

Planned actions: Structure protection of non-occupied historic homestead are complete. Suppression actions are ongoing. The Hand Crews and Engines are preparing County Roads as a holding feature. They are removing vegetation along roads to lessen fire intensity if these County Roads need to be ignited to perform a burnout operation. The assistance of a mechanical masticator has sped up the process. Fire and Land Managers are constantly assessing resources, communications, and working partnerships while ensuring public and firefighter safety.

Evacuations and closures: No evacuations.

Closures: To protect persons, property, public lands, and resources these roads are closed to all public use to support the Pike Ridge Fire. BLM lands within Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties. Public lands within ¼ mile south of Garfield County Road 256, East of Pike Ridge, and West of Garfield County Road 257.

Smoke: Smoke will be visible from the Grand Valley, Meeker and Rangely, Co areas. Travelers on Highway 139 from Loma, CO to Rangely, CO will see the most some. Smoke is not impacting any roadway directly. Go to airnow.gov to view local airsheds and national smoke report.

Aviation safety: Aircraft may be used over the Pike Ridge Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) FDC 3/9155 is in place through 09/22/2023. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

Northwest Colorado Interagency Fire

Contact: Patrick Kieran Public Information Officer (720) 679-4234
Location: Approximately 28 miles North of Loma, Colorado.
Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management, Grand Junction Field Office and White River Field Office, Private.
Discovered: 08/12/2023 01:52 p.m. Cause: Lightning
Vegetation type: Beetle Kill Spruce/Conifer, Mountain Brush Estimated size: 231 acres
Containment: 0% Threatened structures: 0
Current status: The Pike Ridge Fire has grown the past few days due to increased winds, receptive fuel bed, remote, and rugged terrain. Due to the fire growth, increased fire complexity, logistical support needs, and public safety the White River Field Office in the Northwest District ordered the White River Type 3 Interagency Management Team. The White River IMT-3 assumed command of the Pike Ridge fire on 08/22/2023 at 06:00 a.m. Current size is 231 acres, with an estimated 85 fire personal comprising of Aviation, Crews, Engines, and Overhead. Remnants of Tropical Storm Harold is expected to arrive as early as Thursday, additional Monsoon moisture is expected through the weekend. An anticipated drying trend could be established early next week.

Planned actions: Transfer of Command to White River IMT-3 was completed, fire resources are engaged on the North Flank securing fire line, structure protection measures are in place. Suppression actions are ongoing. Fire and Land Managers are constantly assessing resources, communication, and working partnerships while ensuring public and firefighter safety.

Evacuations and closures: No evacuations. Closures: To protect persons, property, public lands and resources these roads are closed to all public use to support the Pike Ridge Fire. BLM lands within Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties. Public lands within ¼ mile south of Garfield County Road 256, East of Pike Ridge, and West of Garfield County Road 257.

Smoke: Smoke will be visible from the Grand Valley, Meeker and Rangely, Co areas. Travelers on Highway 139 from Loma, CO to Rangely, CO will see the most some. Smoke is not impacting any roadway directly. Go to airnow.gov to view local airsheds and National Smoke Report.

Aviation safety: Aircraft may be used over the Pike Ridge Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!