Sunday, March 19, 2017

Fire Activity 3.19.2017

56 Fire



  •  Time Reported: 2:38 pm
  •  Location: South East of Kenosha Pass off County Road 56
  •  Resources: 7 engines from both Federal and local departments
  •  Size: 300 acres
  •  Containment: 100%
  •  Controlled: 100%
  •  Structures Threatened: No
  •  Closures: No
  •  Cause: Human
  •  Fuels: Fire is burning in grass, aspen, mixed conifer and ponderosa pine
  •  Hazards: Some areas of the fire are in moderate terrain
  • #56Fire
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Firefighters have used both indirect and direct tactics to slow the forward progress of the fire.  
  • Firefighters are continuing to strengthen fireline and patrol the perimeter of the fire.
  • Additional resources consisting of Americorps and a small hand crew will report to the fireline tomorrow morning to assist
  •  There are no closures in place however the public is asked to be cautious on the Lost Park Rd (CR 56), Forest Road 133 and on the Colorado Trail near Johnson Gulch  
Update, 3/20/2017 9:45 am
  • Firefighters were able to get a more accurate acreage in the daylight this morning.  Current acreage of the fire is now 300 acres. 
  • Low fire behavior this morning however we are expected to have red flag conditions this afternoon which could increase fire behavior and smoke in the area. 
  • Firefighters will continue to improve fire line today and work on cooling the hotter areas of the fire
  • The public is still asked to use caution on the Lost Park Rd (CR56), Forest Road 133 and on the Colorado Trail near Johnson Gulch
Update 3/20/2017 8 pm
  • Crews made good progress today securing the fire line and mopping up hot spots. 
  • Fire behavior is minimal at this time and fire area is looking good
  • Crews will continue securing the fire line tomorrow and mopping up hot spots
Update 3/21/2017 11 am
  • Fire area is looking good and crews are continuing to secure the fire line and mop up hot spots. 
  • We expect to have more containment on the fire later today.
Update 3/21/2017 5 pm
  • Crews made more progress today with containment.  Fire is now 75% contained.
  • Plan for tomorrow is to continue securing fire line to increase containment as well as mopping up hot spots. 
Update 3/22/2017 5 pm
  • Fire is still at 75% containment
  • There is still isolated interior heat on the fire which will make smoke visible at times
  • Fire will be staffed tomorrow with 2 hand crews and 1 engine totaling 33 people
  • Expected critical fire weather tomorrow as the cold front approaches.  Crews will continue to secure fire line and work on interior hot spots
Update 3/24/2017 6 PM

  • Fire is 100% contained
  • The fire received approx. 1" of snow from the storm
  • An engine will continue for the next several days working and patrolling the fire

Americorps crew mopping up hot spots


Turkey Track 6
  • Time Reported: 7 pm
  •  Location: Turkey Track area approximately 10 miles North of Woodland Park.
  •  Resources: Engines from Federal and local units responded to this fire
  •  Size:. 1/10 acre
  •  Containment: 100%
  •  Structures Threatened: No
  •  Closures: No
  •  Cause: Human
  •  Fuels: Fire burned grass
  •  Hazards: Snags (dead trees)
  • #TurkeyTrack6
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Local resources responded to this fire last night and quickly contained and controlled this fire keeping it small at 1/10 of an acre.  

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Fire Activity 3.8.2017

Saint Peters Dome Fire

  • Size: 1/10 acre
  • Location: Off Gold Camp Rd near St Peters Dome
  • Resources: 3 engines, 1 hand crew.  Resources are from US Forest Service and El Paso County Sheriffs Office
  • Containment: 100%
  • Structures Threatened: No
  • Closures: St Peters Dome trail closed
  • Cause: Unknown
  • Fuels: Timber
  • Hazards: Steep and rocky terrain
  • #StPetersDome
  • Smoke visible SW of Colorado Springs
  • Crews on scene constructing fireline
  • Firefighters coming off fire for the day
  • Americorps crew will staff the fire early Thursday morning
  • Helicopter staging, brought in to bolster initial attack capabilities
  • Update (3/9 am): Crews back on scene improving fireline and mopping up hot
    spots. 
  • Update(3/9 afternoon): Crews continue to mop up hot spots and call the fire 100% contained




View of Saint Peters Dome fire on the morning of 3/9/2017

Americorps crew from Lake George working a grid pattern to find hot spots with their hands

Americorps gridding for hot spots