North Creek Fire
Time Reported: 4/15/2023 12:39 pm
- Size: 50 ac
- Location: 6.5 miles NW of Beulah Valley
- Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
- Resources: One hand crew, one engine, and overhead personnel supporting suppression efforts.
- Containment: 100%
- Controlled: 100% 4/23/2023 @ 11:00am
- Structures Threatened: None
- Evacuation: None
- Closures: None
- Cause: Human, Campfire
- Fuels: Grass, Brush, Ponderosa Pine
- #NorthCreekFire_CO
Update 5:30 4/21/2023: Over the weekend crews will continue to seek out and extinguish any small traces of remaining heat located within the interior area of the #NorthCreekFire_CO. No smoke is visible. For firefighter and public safety, please avoid the fire area.
Update 11:15am 4/19/2023: On Tuesday afternoon, wind gusts up to 60 mph tested containment lines on the #NorthCreekFire_CO. All lines held without issue. Today crews continue to add depth to their lines as they extinguish any remaining pockets of interior heat. No smoke is visible at this time.
Update 3pm 4/18/2023: Crews have worked extensively to secure and strengthen the fireline, increasing containment to 100%. Although containment is 100% light smoke may still be visible due to interior fuels smoldering. Firefighters will continue to patrol the North Creek Fire throughout the week.
Update 12pm 4/18/2023: North Creek Fire remains at 50 acres and 80% contained. Crews continue to work on strengthening and securing the fireline. Light smoke is still visible and may be present throughout the day.
Update 7pm 4/17/2023: There is no change in the North Creek Fire since the 1pm update. The fire is 50 acres at 80% contained. All lines have held and crews will continue with operations tomorrow. Smoke in the area my still be visible due to pockets of heat within the firelines.
Update 1:00pm 4/17/2023: Crews have made progress in securing and holding the fires edge. The North Creek Fire has increased containment to 80%.
Update 11am 4/17/2023: North Creek Fire is showing very little smoke this morning. Firefighters have reengaged and continue to strengthen and secure the fires edge. Crews will take advantage of todays temperature, highs of 67, and lower forecasted winds, as a Red Flag is in effect for Tuesday, 4/18/2023 near the fire area.
Update 8pm 4/16/2023: No changes to report on the North Creek Fire. The fire remains 50 acres at 50% contained. Crews will resume suppression efforts in the morning. Fireline around the perimeter is holding the fire in place, however heavy fuel within the interior continue to smolder and smoke may still be visible; represented in the picture below.
Update 5pm 4/16/2023: All operations are normal on the North Creek Fire. Firefighters continue to make good progress on the fire strengthening the firelines. There are still areas of heat in the fire and firefighters will continue working to mop up those hotspots.
Update 2:45pm 4/16/2023: A Multi-Mission Aircraft flight was conducted for the North Creek Fire. It is mapping the fire at 50 acres and the containment has increased to 50% contained. Crews continue to work on strengthening the fire line and mop up hot spots that could potentially threaten the line. Pre-evacuations have been lifted form the Red Mountain Youth Camp to County Line.
Update 11am 4/16/2023: The cause of the North Creek Fire has been determined to be human caused, specifically caused by a campfire being utilized by a hunter. The US Forest Service and Pueblo County Sheriff’s office do have a person of interest in this case. This investigation is ongoing and at this time no further information will be released. We would like to use this opportunity to remind everyone that many of our day to day actions can have the potential to cause a wildfire. The weather in many areas of Southern Colorado continues to be dry and warm and there have been a number of wildfires in the past few weeks along the Front Range and in Southern Colorado. Federal, County, State and local agencies remind all of us to take a pause before we do anything that might cause a wildfire. Always ensure that you dispose of any heat source properly, trailer chains are not dragging and campfires are built safely and extinguished completely. There are many areas in Colorado that are in some variation of fire restrictions, and we urge all residents and visitors to always check fire restrictions for their area or the area they will be visiting. Remember, we are all responsible for our own actions and we all have the opportunity to prevent wildfires.
Update 9:30am 4/16/2023: No change in the acreage this morning and crews will continue to build and strengthen fireline around the fire today. Weather forecast is for lighter winds but low relative humidity which could increase some fire behavior on the fire. Air resources are available today if needed.
Update 11pm 4/15/2023: There is no change in the fire from since the 8pm update. Firefighters will remain on the fire overnight tonight and the next update will be tomorrow morning.
Update 8pm 4/15/2023: The North Creek Fire has burned into the old 2016 Junkins Fire burn scar which has slowed the forward progression of the fire. Air resources have been successful in dropping water and fire retardant on all sides of the fire, ultimately surrounding the fire. The retardant has been effective in the lighter fuels of the old burn scar also helping to slow the forward progression of the fire. Crews are now working to build fire line around the fire where the aircraft dropped the fire retardant. Firefighters will be on scene overnight and the public can expect to see smoke in the area as there are still a lot of areas of heat. The firefighters will take advantage of the lighter winds forecasted for tomorrow with an expected forecast of warmer weather next week.
Update at 6:00 pm: Evacuations are lifted. Pre-evacuation for Red Mountain Youth Camp west to County Line.
Update at 4:20 pm: Horses being evacuated can be taken to the 4 BARS Ranch, 6625 State Highway 78
Map:
North Creek Fire at 11:15 am on 4/19/2023
North Creek Fire at 7pm 4/17/23
4/16/2023 8pm Update: Picture shows smoke visible from the heavy fuels that continue to smolder within the interior of the fires perimeter.
4/16/2023 2:45pm Update: North Creek Fire, MMA flight captures fire retardant around fire from operations on 4/15/23.
North Creek Fire, crew briefing at 8am 4/16/2023
North Creek Fire at 8am 4/16/2023
Multi-Mission Aircraft video 4/15/2023 4pm
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