RIFLE, Colo. – Crews from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit are working the 22-acre Coulter Fire today about nine miles north of Rifle Gap Reservoir on the White River National Forest.
Crews responded to the lightning-ignited fire about 4 p.m. yesterday, following a thunderstorm that moved through the area. They were able to stop the fire from actively spreading and will continue to work the fire today with two helicopters, two engines and about 60 firefighters.
There are currently no immediate threats to structures or evacuations in place.
More thunderstorms and lightning are anticipated in western Colorado this afternoon.
The White River National Forest remains under Stage 2 fire restrictions, which prohibit all campfires and charcoal, even in developed areas. For more information, go to www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.
Wildfire response
GBIMT: Grizzly Creek Fire at 29,732 acres; community meeting on Facebook tonight at 6 p.m.
Grizzly Creek Fire statistics:
Size: 29,732 acres
Start Date: Aug. 10
Location: Glenwood Canyon
Containment: 4%
Special notes: Community Facebook live meeting tonight, August 20, at 6 p.m.
Yesterday’s activity: Yesterday, a new start, the Red Canyon Fire, erupted in Garfield county triggering evacuations for residents in the south east portion of the county. Initial attack by air and ground resources was mobilized, and the fire was held to approximately 60 acres. All evacuations were lifted for the Red Canyon fire Wednesday evening. Additionally, Buck Point residents effected by the Grizzly Fire were downgraded from evacuation to pre-evacuation status. Yesterday, the weather over the fire had some precipitation with lightning.
On the Grizzly Creek Fire in No Name Creek was still moving at the top of the drainage, and also active along the east edge of Grizzly Creek. Fire line along Transfer Trail to Windy Point neared completion. On the northwest side of the fire, additional mechanized equipment was brought in to bolster efforts there. Fire is beginning to reach the tops of the drainages to the northeast, where it can be actively engaged. Fire activity from Coffee Pot to I-70 was held in place. In Bair Creek, the fire was active from Ike ridge to Upper Spruce Creek ridge. On the south side, the fire continued to progress through unburned fuels, filling in pockets. Near Lookout Mountain there was minimal fire progression. Lookout Mountain Park is still being evaluated for contingency lines.
Today’s activity: Today, the chance of precipitation and lightning increases with concerns for potential debris flow in Glenwood Canyon. Firefighters will continue with building direct and indirect fire line around the fire perimeter. The structure protection unit will continue work in No Name and Bair Ranch. Crews will also be finishing up work at the 60 acres Red Canyon fire today.
Daily operations video updates will be posted on the Grizzly Creek Fire Facebook page. Maps and other information will also be posted on InciWeb.
Road closures:
I-70 continues to be closed between Glenwood Springs (MP 116) and Gypsum (MP 133), with no estimated time for reopening. Forest Service Road 400, Eagle-Thomasville Road, is closed due to excessive traffic and accidents resulting from drivers attempting to use this primarily dirt road as an alternate to the I-70 closure. Cottonwood Pass Road in Garfield and Eagle counties. Coffee Pot Road, and Transfer Trail roads and areas of the Flattops accessed by those roads are also closed, as well as many surrounding White River National Forest and BLM roads. For more information regarding road closures, go to COTrip.
Evacuations: Please go to the Garfield County and Eagle County as well as on official Facebook.
Area closures: BLM recreation sites and boat ramps on the southern portion of the Colorado River Road (RD 301) near Dotsero, Colorado. Specifically, Cottonwood Landing boat ramp, Lyons campground and boat ramp, and Dotsero boat ramp.
Fire restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place for all jurisdictions.
A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. If you fly, we can’t.
Resources:
Hand crews: 20
Helicopters: 17
Engines: 43
Water tenders: 7
Dozers: 12
Feller bunchers and other logging equipment
Total personnel: 820
More information:
InciWeb
Facebook
Twitter: @fire_grizzly
Fire information line: (970) 930-1850
Media line: (970) 930-1089
Office hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
Email: 2020.grizzlycreek@firenet.gov
Red Canyon Fire (originally called Fisher Creek Fire)
Update as of 8.19.20 at 8:59 pm – Red Canyon Fire is also known as Fischer Creek Fire. These are the ONLY evacuations lifted. All previous evacuations are in place for Grizzly Creek Fire.
Update as of 8:12 p.m.: Garfield County Sheriff’s Office: Evacuations are lifted! Thanks to everyone!
Update, 8.19.20, 6:09 p.m.: Grizzly Creek IMT: Fire resources are making excellent progress on the #RedCanyonFire from both the air and ground. Dozer line is being constructed and a night shift will be on scene.
Update: 8.19.20, 5:53 p.m.: Grizzly Creek Fire IMT: Grizzly Creek Fire resources respond to new start off CR 115. A new start called the Red Canyon Fire broke out just after 4 p.m.
Wednesday near Fisher Cemetery Road and County Road 115. The Red Canyon Fire is reportedly 30-40 acres burning in grass and brush. Structures are threatened. Garfield County issued an evacuation notice for residents south of County Road 115, north of County Road 113, and west of County Road 121. The evacuation center is at Roaring Fork High School. Type 1 and type 2 helicopters, as well as several single engine airtankers, seven engines and a water tender from the Grizzly Creek Fire is responding and suppressing the fire.
Daily operations video updates will be posted on the Grizzly Creek Fire facebook page. Maps and other information will also be posted on inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6942/.
Evacuations: Please go to Garfield County website at www.garfield-county.com and Eagle County at www.ecemergency.org, as well as on official Facebook accounts.
Update: 8.19.20, 5:24 p.m.: Grizzly Creek Fire IMT: There has been a new lightning caused fire this afternoon. Evacuations are in place for south of 115 road, north of 113 and west of 121 road.
Carbondale, Colo. – At approximately 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District was paged to Spring Valley for a report of a wildland fire. Upon arrival firefighters found a fire rapidly moving through the area.
The fire was approximately 20 acres and growing fast. Residences in the High Aspen, Coulter Ranch and Homesteads Estates were already evacuated.
The evacuation center is located at Roaring Fork High School. This is an evolving situation. Updates will be posted on the Carbondale Fire Facebook page as it becomes available.
___________________________________________________________________________
Actualización: 8.19.20, 5:53 pm: Grizzly Creek Fire IMT: Los recursos de Grizzly Creek Fire responden al nuevo comienzo de la CR 115. Un nuevo comienzo llamado Red Canyon Fire estalló justo después 4 pm, Miércoles cerca de Fisher Cemetery Road y County Road 115.
Según se informa, el incendio de Red Canyon tiene entre 30 y 40 acres quemados en pasto y maleza. Las estructuras están amenazadas. El condado de Garfield emitió un aviso de evacuación para los residentes al sur de County Road 115, al norte de County Road 113 y al oeste de County Road 121.
El centro de evacuación está en Roaring Fork High School. Helicópteros tipo 1 y tipo 2, así como varios aviones cisterna de un solo motor, siete motores y una licitación de agua del Grizzly Creek Fire están respondiendo y suprimiendo el fuego.
Se publicarán actualizaciones de video de operaciones diarias en la página de Facebook de Grizzly Creek Fire. https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6942/
Actualización: 8.19.20, 5:24 p.m .: Grizzly Creek Fire IMT: Ha habido un nuevo incendio causado por un rayo esta tarde. Hay evacuaciones para el sur de la carretera 115, el norte de la 113 y el oeste de la carretera 121.
Actualización: 8.19.20, 5:29 p.m .: Carbondale Fire: Fire ha crecido a 200 acres.
Aproximadamente a las 4 p.m., el Distrito de Protección de Incendios de Carbondale y Rural recibieron llamada de un incendio forestal en el área de Spring Valley.
Cuando llegaron los bomberos encontraron un incendio que se movía rápidamente en el área. El incendio es aproximadamente 20 acres y creciendo. Las residencias en High Aspen, Coulter Ranch y Homesteads Estates ya fueron evacuadas.
El centro de evacuación es en la escuela de Roaring Fork High School.
Es una situación en evolución. Actualizaciones estarán en la pagina de Facebook Carbondale Fire a medida que sea disponible.
Gov. Polis Takes Action to Prepare for Wildfire Response, Releases Guidance on Civil Rights Protections
DENVER – Gov. Polis took action to prepare for the State’s wildfire response and released guidance on civil rights protections.
Gov. Polis signed Executive Order D 2020 072 directing the transfer of funds from the Disaster Emergency Fund to the Wildfire Emergency Response Fund so it has sufficient funds to assist local jurisdictions.
“COVID-19 has strained our first responders as they have mobilized to save lives. As identified in the State’s 2020 Wildfire Preparedness Plan, local fire departments have reduced availability to provide response and assistance outside of their home jurisdiction, and firefighting resources from other states and federal agencies have limited capacity,” the Executive Order reads.
The administration released guidance to employers and places of public accommodation to ensure equal opportunity employment and to provide reasonable accommodations for individuals, including those with COVID-19, exposure to COVID-19, and symptoms of COVID-19. Read the guidance here.
###