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
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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.
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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.
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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
