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Monday, August 26, 2019

Fire Activity 8.31.19


      Shawnee Peak Fire


Shawnee Peak Fire Information:
719-299-1567 (8AM-7PM)
Time Reported:  3:15pm, 8/26/19
Location: Near Shawnee Peak, east of Kenosha Pass in the Lost Creek Wilderness.
Jurisdiction: USFS
Size: 55 acres
Containment: 50%
Controlled:  0%
Cause: Lightning
Structures Threatened: N\A
Evacuation: N\A
Closures: The Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued a formal Forest fire closure order for the area around, the Ben Tyler North trailhead and trails within the Shawnee Peak Fire. The closure does not include the Colorado Trail. All closed trails and trailheads are depicted on the closure map. A copy of the order and closure map are posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices (scroll down to Closures).
Fuels: Timber
Resources: 3-Interagency Hotshot Crews; 1-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews; 4-Helicopters; and 1-Wildfire Module. Total personnel are 167

Update 8:00 a.m., 8/31/19 Firefighters were transported yesterday from spike camps to the incident command post in Shawnee for showers, a hot meal and rest. The fire was monitored by air and noted minimal fire activity as the fire crept along and smoldered throughout the day. Investigators determined that the fire was the result of lightning strike.


Firefighters will return to the fireline this morning to patrol the fire perimeter and dry mop – stir up hot spots without using water to disperse the heat and allow the ground to cool – along the east and southeastern perimeter to increase containment of the fire.

The Type 3 Incident Management Team will turn over management of the fire back to the Forest and a Type 4 incident management team at 6:00 p.m. today.

Firefighters staged for transport from spike camp back to Incident Command Post on Friday, Aug. 30

Update 7:30 a.m., 8/30/19 Fire activity yesterday continued to be moderate with creeping, smoldering, and isolated and group torching. Firefighters completed reinforcement of the fireline east of the fire and south along the Craig Creek Trail by burning out unburned fuel between the fire and the fireline. Firefighters also completed work on hazardous fuel removal around structures and debris cleanup.

The fire will continue to burn as it moves through unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and constructed firelines and natural fuel breaks. Fire activity will be monitored throughout the day.

Temperatures are expected to reach around 75 degrees, with westerly winds at 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Scattered thunderstorms are possible after noon, which could create erratic winds near the areas of the storms. --> The Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued a formal fire closure order for the area around, the Ben Tyler North trailhead and trails within the Shawnee Peak Fire. The closure does not include the Colorado Trail. All closed trails and trailheads are depicted on the closure map. A copy of the order and closure map is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices and scroll down to Closures.


Burning out unburned fuels north of the Craig Creek Trail toward the southern fire perimeter

Burning out unburned fuels north of the Craig Creek Trail toward the southern fire perimeter

Burning out unburned fuels north of the Craig Creek Trail toward the southern fire perimeter

View of burned area within the fire perimeter

View of burned area within the fire perimeter

Update 6:00 p.m., 8/29/19 Smoke is starting to push down into the valley with the development of an inversion layer. This will continue overnight and into the early morning. 

Update 1:15 p.m., 8/29/19 The Pike and San Isabel National Forest issued a formal fire area closure order for the Shawnee Peak Fire. See Below
Shawnee Peak Fire Closure Order
Closure Order Map

Update 10:00 a.m., 8/29/19 There was moderate fire activity yesterday with creeping, smoldering, and isolated and group torching. This produced more smoke, especially in the afternoon and early evening hours. Firefighters completed direct and indirect lines around the fire area. Firefighters completed structure assessments in Shawnee and continued work on hazardous fuel mitigation in the area. The fire is expected to continue to burn within the direct and indirect firelines. Firefighters will patrol firelines, monitor for, and take action on any new fire starts outside the fire perimeter. Firefighter crews working in the Shawnee community will work toward completing hazardous fuel mitigation work. In addition, some resources will be available to assist on initial attack for any new fire starts not related to this fire.


Established fireline

Burned fuels along the fireline

Burned fuels along the fireline

Smokey sunset

Update 9:30 p.m., 8/28/19 The fire became more active today due to the increased temperatures and low humidities. Firefighters still made good progress as they continued work on reinforcing existing firelines.

Update 10:30 a.m., 8/28/19 Firefighters made excellent progress constructing handline along the west, north and east side of the fire perimeter. They worked on constructing indirect fireline from the southwestern and southeastern fire perimeter to the Craig Park Trail #608 due to hazardous conditions consisting of numerous snags and steep and rocky terrain along the southern fire perimeter. Several spot fires to the northwest and east of the fire were fully lined with assistance of helicopter water drops. A structure taskforce worked on assessing homes for fire risk and began hazardous fuel mitigation within the Shawnee community. Crews will continue fireline construction as well as securing existing firelines. The structure taskforce will continue home assessment and hazardous fuel mitigation operations. A red flag warning is in effect today from noon through 8:00 pm. Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s, relative humidity less than 10%, and winds up to 20 miles per hour.

Update 10:30 pm, 8/27/19 Firefighters worked on constructing fireline that will tie into natural fuel breaks with the intent of keeping the fire below the ridgeline. Structure crews began assessing homes for fire risk in the Shawnee Community. Crews will stay in a spike camp near the fire overnight and will resume operations in the morning. Due to better mapping, the fire is now at 37 acres.

Update 11:00 am, 8/27/19Fire fighters are transported via helicopter to the Shawnee Peak Fire. Videos available below.

Update 7:45 am, 8/27/19 The Shawnee Peak Fire briefing occurred at the AG Ranch in Shawnee this morning. Fire behavior is limited this morning due to higher humidity overnight. There are no road closures at this time. Five trail heads leading into the Lost Creek Wilderness have been closed. Fire fighters will be flown into the fire today and will begin fire suppression using natural features on the landscape to minimize suppression caused damage to natural and cultural resources. Fire engine crews will assess homes for fire risk in the Shawnee Community.

Update 11pm, 8/26/19 The Shawnee Peak Fire is currently burning 40 acres in a remote area of the Lost Creek Wilderness. Today crews attempted to gain access to the fire on the ground as helicopters and fixed wing aircraft did aerial recon and used bucket drops to help slow the fires growth. The area that the fire is burning in is very steep and rugged with very limited access. Firefighters report this evening that the fire is currently smoldering and creeping with isolated torching. A video of an aerial recon has been added below. Tomorrow firefighters will be shuttled in via helicopter to asses the strategies and tactics to ensure the safety of the planned operations as firefighter safety is always priority. Helicopters will be utilized to both shuttle crews to the fire and for bucket drops on the fire. There will be a task force of engine crews that will be doing structure assessment and preplanning in and around the community of Shawnee which is still approximately 4 miles from the fire.

Update 9pm, 8/26/19 Numerous additional crews have been ordered for the Shawnee Peak Fire. There are now a total of 3 Hotshot crews assigned to this fire.  One of those crews is currently working the fire and the others will arrive tomorrow. 2 additional hand crews have been assigned to the fire and will also arrive tomorrow (8/27). Several additional helicopters have also been ordered and will be working the fire tomorrow.

Update 5:50pm, 8.26.19 Aircraft has flown over the fire and estimated the size to be 37 acres. Some isolated tree torching and spotting ahead of the fire has been observed. Firefighters on the ground are continuing to attempt to gain access to the fire.

Update 5pm, 8.26.19 A fire has been reported east of Kenosha Pass near the Shawnee Peak area. Crews are responding and currently trying to gain access the fire. The fire is burning in timber in a remote area of the National Forest. Fire is estimated at 20 acres Edited to correct earlier info of fire west of Kenosha Pass
        #ShawneePeakFire




Aerial Recon of the Shawnee Peak Fire 8/26/19





Helicopters are shuttling crews to the fire. This saves precious time and energy. The distance to the fire on the trail is approximately 6 miles. 8/27/19