Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Fire Activity 12/22/2021

 Blodgett Peak Fire

Time Reported: 12/22/2021  5:22 am

  • Size: .78 ac
  • Location: El Paso County, Pikes Peak  RD, .5 miles N of Colo Springs, CO. South of the Air Force Academy,
  • Jurisdiction: USFS with a unified command with CSFD
  • Resources:  USFS, El Paso  County, Air Force Academy FD,, Colo Springs Utilities, Pikes Peak OEM, ,  Colo Springs Police Dept, Colo Springs Fire Dept,  MMA
  • Containment: 100%  1/03/2022 @ 11:38 am
  • Controlled: 2/07/2022 @ 8:30am size 0.78 ac
  • Structures Threatened: N\A
  • Evacuation: Pre evacuation for Peregrine Sub Division has been lifted. 
  • Closures: Blodgett Open Space is open to recreation activities
  • Cause: Illegal abandoned campfire
  • Fuels: Spruce Fir with dead down timber, shrubs, grass
  • #BlodgettPeakFire
Update: 1/03/2022  12:00 pm
The MMA morning flight did not identified any heat signature on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  Containment is now at 100% Another MMA flight will be  scheduled for a date and time TBD.  This is the last update unless there's a significant change in the fire behavior.

Update: 12/30/2021  11:30 am
The MMA morning flight identified one heat signature on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  No smoke was visible.  Containment is now at 90% because the heat signature is surrounded by rocks.  CSFD and the USFS will continue with roaming patrols.  Another MMA flight is schedules for Monday morning.



Update: 12/29/2021  5:30 pm
MMA flight is scheduled for Thursday morning for the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  CSFD will continue with roaming patrols.  No smoke was visible today.  No change in containment.

Update: 12/28/2021  11:30 am
The type three helicopter was released from the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  Another MMA flight is scheduled for Thursday morning.  CSFD will continue with roaming patrols.  Because of safety concerns the Forest Service is asking the public to avoid the fire area.

Update: 12/27/2021  5:30 pm
The Incident Commander has called the #BlodgettPeakFireCo 75% contained at 4:00 pm.  Helicopter did six water drops. 

Update: 12/27/2021  1:00 pm
The Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) flew the #BlodgettPeakFireCo and found 3 heat signatures.  The helicopter is using the latitude and longitude that the MMA provided and is dropping water at those locations.

Update: 12/27/2021  9:30 am
 A Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) is scheduled this morning to scan for residual heat on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  A helicopter will do a recon flight this morning winds permitting. CSFD patrols are will continue through out the day.

Update: 12/26/2021  4:30 pm
Helicopter did not see any smoke during this mornings recon flight, did not fly any more missions because of erratic winds, there's occasionally smoke visible in the late afternoon hours. Pre evacuation for Peregrine Sub Division has been lifted.

Update: 12/26/2021  10:30 am
 No smoke visible this morning on the  #BlodgettPeakFireCo. A helicopter will do a recon flight this morning winds permitting.  Also a Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) is scheduled for Monday morning to scan for residual heat. 

Update: 12/25/2021  5:30 pm
No visible smoke today on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo.  The Blodgett Open Space will open tomorrow except for the trail head that the fire crews are using to access the fire. 

Update: 12/25/2021  11:00 am
Snow fell on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo for a short period last night, however smoke and smoldering is occasionally visible.  Patrols are continuing and firefighters are on site.  Fire investigators have determined the cause to be an illegal abandoned campfire.  If anyone has information they encouraged to call the Pikes Peak Forest Service Office at 719-636-1602 leave message if no answer.  

Update: 12/24/21 5:30 pm
The #BlodgettPeakFireCo received some moisture this afternoon.  Firefighters worked on the fire through out the day and the fire is now called 50% contained. CSFD will be patrolling tonight and other firefighters will return in the morning.



Update: 12/24/21 10:30 am
There was no increase in size on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo still at .7 ac. Helicopter did several water drops this morning but once again the high winds forced the ship to land.  If winds moderate the helicopter will continue doing water drops. From this mornings helicopter size up indicating minimal fire activity, a multi agency squad is hiking up to the fire to construct fire line to gain containment. If there is any safety concerns they will be mitigated or firefighters will come off the fire. Firefighter safety is the number 1 concern.

Update: 12/23/21 5:00 pm
The #BlodgettPeakFireCo received several helicopter water bucket drops but due to winds the ship had to land back at the helibase.  There was no growth from this morning's reported size of .7 ac.  CSFD will be patrolling and monitoring tonight. Prevacation are still in place and the Blodgett Open Space is closed to recreation use.  Crews will be back in the morning staffing the fire.

Update: 12/23/21 7:00 am
Additional resources  are arriving today to suppress the #BlogettPeakFireCo.  One handcrew and a type three helicopter. 

Update: 12/22/21 2:00 pm
Two Large Airtankers dropped fire retardant on the #BlodgettPeakFireCo before sunset.  Fire will not be staffed tonight, Colo Springs FD firefighters will be patrolling the area and monitoring the fire.  USFS will take control of the fire at 9:00 am 12/23/21.  Resources ordered for tomorrow's shift are one type 2 handcrew and a type 3 helicopter.

Update: 12/22/21 2:00 pm
Firefighters did reach the fire but with concerns for predicted winds gusts to 40 mph they are hiking back to the staging area.  Overhead making operation plans with firefighter safety as the number 1 concern and getting an idea of what resources are available. There was a MMA flight this morning mapping the fire at .3 ac. including 3 spot fires.

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