Fire Activity 

Horse Ranch Fire

·                     Time Reported: 9:23 pm, 4/28/2020

·                     Size: 43 acres

·                     Location: On the San Carlos RD in Huerfano County 11 miles North East of Gardner, CO,  5 miles  west of Rye CO.

·                     Jurisdiction: US Forest Service

·                     Resources:  2 type 6 engine, 5-person hand crew, water tender, large airtanker, 2 dozers

·                     Containment: 50%

·                     Structures Threatened: None

·                     Evacuations: None

·                     Closures: None

·                     Cause: Human, under investigation

·                     Hazards: Snags

·                     Fuels: Grass, Aspen with under-story

·                     #Horeseranchfire

Update: 5:30 pm  date 5/08
The #Horseranchfire was called controlled at 2:30 pm, 5/08/2020. Size 43 acres.

Update: 6:30 pm  date 5/02
The #Horseranchfire fireline is holding, firefighters continue mopping up the hotshots.  All resources will leave the incident tonight going back to there duty stations.  One engine and a squad will be back on the fire tomorrow.

Update: 5:30 pm  date 5/03
The #Horseranchfire was called 100% contained at 6:10 pm, 5/02/2020.  Firefighters will again camp on site and will continue suppression efforts in the morning.

Update: 1:30 pm  date 5/02
Crews are continuing to improve fireline mopping up hot spots working toward full containment on the #Horseranchfire.  One dozer are released from the incident yesterday and the second will be released at the end of today's shift

Update: 5:30 pm  date 5/01
The Horse Ranch Fire is 90% contained.  Crews will continue to improve fireline mop up hot spots to gain full containment. Firefighters will again camp on site and will continue suppression efforts in the morning.

Update: 9:30 am  date 5/01
Firefighters strengthen the fireline yesterday evening by eliminating heavy fuels near the exterior by burning out to consume as much fuel next to the line as possible.  Operation plan today is to continue strengthening the fireline working toward containment. Added a photo showing yesterdays burn operations.

Update: 7:30 pm  date 4/30

The #Horseranchfire Incident Commander has called the fire 50% contained today at 3:45 pm. Firefighters will again camp on site and will continue suppression efforts in the morning.  Added two more photos.

Update: 2:30 pm  date 4/30

A total of 17 firefighters are utilizing two dozers to construct fireline around the 43 acre Horse Ranch Fire.   Increase in acres was due to fire spread last night and early morning fire activity. Incident Commander will update the containment percent at the end of shift.

Update: 9:30 am  date 4/30

After camping on the fire last night the firefighters are now working to contain the fire.  A BLM engine from Canon City is on scene along with a U.S. Forest Service engine and 5 person squad. Fire was determined to be human caused, still investigating.   The large airtanker drop four loads of retardant yesterday. Photos of retardant drops flanking the fire are below with other photos from the fire.

Update: 6:00 pm 4/29

Update from the Incident Commander is that suppression of the fire is progressing with all the resources in place – dozer, tender, and Airtanker have arrived.  Firefighters will coyote (camp on site) on fire tonight – they have enough supplies to last at least two days after today.

Update: 4:15 pm 4/29

A large airtanker (LAT) was ordered and is dropping retardant on the fire.  Fire is now at 13 acres, firefighters will be on the incident until 10:00 pm and will staff the fire tomorrow at 7:00 am.  A Temporary Flight Restriction TFR has been requested for the air space above the fire..

Update: 3:00 pm 4/29

Fire is experiencing isolated torching and the size has been adjusted to 11 acres. Water tender has been ordered.

Fire was reported late Tuesday evening, firefighters responded and are on scene.  Smoke from fire is visible from the Gardner, CO. area.

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