Friday, June 28, 2024

Fire activity 6.28.2024

Lead Mountain Fire

Time Reported:  6/28/2024 3:03pm

  • Size: .1 acres (20 feet X 20 ft)
  • Location: 15 mi E/NE of Westcliffe, CO in Hardscrabble Canyon north of Highway 96.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: 2 US Forest Service engines, 1 helicopter
  • Containment: 100% 6/28/2024 12:20pm
  • Controlled: 6/29/2024 12:25pm
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Unknown
  • Fuels: Mixed conifer and dead and downed fuel
  • #LeadMountainFire_CO
6/29/2024 12:30 update: The Lead Mountain fire is contained and controlled and crews are hiking out of the fire area. 

6/29/2024 10am update: Crews gained access the fire this morning and reported the fire to still be .10 acre, smoldering and creeping. Today crews will build fireline and utilize the helicopter for bucket drops to put out hotpots. 

6/28/2024 Initial Report: The lead mountain fire is burning approximately 20 feet X 20 feet on a ridgetop in steep rugged and rocky terrain. 2 engine crews are working on scouting and gaining access/ingress to the fire. They are utilizing a helicopter with bucket drops to slow the fires spread. The fire is currently smoldering and creeping in dead and downed fuels located in a mixed conifer forest. Due to the remote location, crews will not likely make it to the fire tonight however they will continue working on gaining access tomorrow morning. 

Custer County Sheriff's office is urging all residents in the area to sign up for everbridge alerts. You can do so through the following link https://member.everbridge.net/355009111785665/new


Crews mopping up hotspots on the fire 6/29/2024









Saturday, June 22, 2024

Fire Activity 6/22/24

 Banner Peak Fire

Time Reported:  6/22/2024 1:43 pm

  • Size: .5 acres
  • Location: Jefferson County, South Platte RD, 1.3 Miles Southeast of Pine, CO
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service engines
  • Containment: 100% 6/22/24 @ 8:30pm
  • Controlled: 6/26/24 @ 12:37am for .5acre 
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Fuels: Isolated single trees torching and smoldering with low spread potential. Resources are on scene actively engaged in suppressing the fire.
  • #BannerPeakFire_CO

Update 6/24/24 9:40am: Crews reported all containment lines continue to hold and they will continue to mop up hot spots today. 

Map: 

   


Oak Ridge Fire

ALL FURTHER UPDATES FOR THE OAK RIDGE FIRE WILL BE POSTED TO THE OAK RIDGE FIRE 2024 FACEBOOK PAGE
https://www.facebook.com/oakridgefire2024

Time Reported:  6/22/2024 8:59 am

  • Size: 213 acres
  • Location: Pueblo County, 3 Mile Northwest of Beulah, CO, San Carlos Ranger District
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: USFS Pikes Peak Hotshot Crew, engines, hand crews and type three helicopter engaging in incident & establishing ground access to fire.
  • Containment:
  • Controlled: 
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: Pueblo County Sheriff's office has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR MIDDLE CREEK CANYON ROAD in the Beulah Area due to the #OakridgeFire. All residents should leave now.
    A reception center is being set up at the Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Building at 1543 Cooper Place in the Salt Creek neighborhood.
    PRE-EVACUATION notice in effect for residents on Vine Mesa, Cascade Ave., Pine Ave and Beulah Highlands Road. Be ready to evacuate if needed.
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Unknown
  • Fuels: fire is smoldering & creeping in understory of mix conifer
  • #OakRidgeFire_CO

Update 6/24/24 5:08 pm: New updated acreage for the fire is 213. There will be a media briefing at 5:30pm at media staging located at the Beulah School, 8743 Schoolhouse Lane. Representatives from the USFS, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office and Beulah Fire will give a brief update on the fire.  

Update: 6/24/24 3:20 pm: There has been an increase in fire behavior today on the Oak Ridge Fire and it has grown to 170 acres which was mapped using the Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control's Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA). Due to the increase in fire behavior, steep rugged terrain, and firefighter safety, crews have disengaged and are re-evaluating the situation. 

Pueblo County Sheriff's office has issued a MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR MIDDLE CREEK CANYON ROAD in the Beulah Area due to the #OakridgeFire. All residents should leave now.
A reception center is being set up at the Pueblo County Parks and Recreation Building at 1543 Cooper Place in the Salt Creek neighborhood.
PRE-EVACUATION notice in effect for residents on Vine Mesa, Cascade Ave., Pine Ave and Beulah Highlands Road. Be ready to evacuate if needed.

Updates:  6/24/24 2:00pm The Oak Ridge Fire has grown to 30 acres, additional air resources have been ordered. Residents in Middle Creek Canyon are under a pre-evacuation notice. Please be ready to leave should things change.

Updates:  6/24/24 1:30pm - Fire activity has increased on the Oak Ridge fire. Crews have made it to the fires edge but have disengaged as they evaluate the best tactics. A type one helicopter has been ordered to assist in areal suppression. The fire is approximately 5 acres.

Updates:  6/24/24 1:30pm smoke shows an increase in fires behavior 


Updates:  6/24/24 11:30am
Hotshot crew and other resources are working to gain access into the fires edge. They are constructing helistops to be used as medivac sites for firefighters. USFS type three helicopter continues engaging with water bucket drops to cool the fires edge.  

                                                        
Photo updates: 6/24/24 11:30am

Updates: 
 6/24/24 9:30am Retardant lines looking like they held over night this morning. 
 

                                                                Photo 8:30 am 6/24/24


Updates: 
 6/23/24 9:30pmThe aircraft on the Oak Ridge Fire made good progress slowing or stopping fire progress with helicopter water bucket drops and retardant fire lines with large airtankers. Preparation for crews ingress and regress to staff the fire are still on going, such as heli-spot to fly out firefighters in case of injury.  The Pike Hotshots have been ordered and will arrive tomorrow.

                                                        Photo taken before sunset 6/23/24


Updates:
6/23/24 4:30pm - A type 1 and a type 3 helicopter are still doing bucket drops on the Oak Ridge Fire. There was four Large Airtanker missions for the fire dropping fire retardant. An Air Attack platform managing the airspace over the incident. 

Updates:
6/23/24 1:00pm - A type 1 and a type 3 helicopter are currently engaged in bucket drops on the Oak Ridge Fire. There is also a Air Attack platform managing the airspace over the incident. Fire activity remains creeping and smoldering in steep terrain. A Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) has mapped the fire at 1.5 acres.  A large air tanker has also been ordered to put retardant around the fire so then ground crews can engage the fire safely. The plan is for the ground fighters to hike on to the fire after the retardant drops.

Updates:
6/22/24 5:00pm - Aerial resources are currently engaging in bucket drops over the Oak Ridge Fire. Fire activity remains creeping and smoldering in steep terrain.
6/22/24 5:00pm bucket drops being conducted on the Oak Ridge Fire

6/22/24 10:00am Smoke visible this morning on the Oak Ridge Fire

Map:

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Fire Activity 6/18/2024

 Road Gulch Fire

Time Reported:  6/16/2024 2:13 pm

  • Size: .1 acres
  • Location: Park County, near 11 Mile Reservoir  South of  Lake George, CO, South Park Ranger District, One mile north of 11 Mile Reservoir.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service 
  • Containment: 6/18/2024 @ 3:35 pm for .1 acre
  • Controlled: 6/18/2024 @ 3:35 pm for .1 acre
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Human / Campfire
  • Fuels
  • #RoadGulchFire_CO
Map:

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Fire Activity 6/16/2024

  Packer Fire

*Second Human caused fire found in Packer Gulch

Time Reported:  6/16/2024 3:42 pm

  • Size: .1 acres
  • Location: Park County, near Tarryall Reservoir West of  Lake George, CO, South Park Ranger District,. In Packer Gulch south of Tarryall Reservoir.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service 
  • Containment: 6/16/2024 @ 3:45 pm for .1 acre
  • Controlled: 6/16/2024 @ 3:45 pm for .1 acre
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Human / Campfire
  • Fuels
  • #PackerFire_CO
Map:


 239 Fire

Time Reported:  6/16/2024 2:36 pm

  • Size: .1 acres
  • Location: Park County, near Tarryall Reservoir West of  Lake George, CO, South Park Ranger District,. In Packer Gulch south of Tarryall Reservoir.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service 
  • Containment: 6/16/2024 @ 3:00 pm for .1 acre
  • Controlled: 6/16/2024 @ 3:00 pm for .1 acre
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Human / Campfire
  • Fuels
  • #239Fire_CO
Map:

Bear Creek Fire

Time Reported:  6/16/2024 9:21 am

  • Size:acres
  • Location: Douglas County, 14  miles North West of Castle Rock, CO, South Platte Ranger District, near Platte Canyon Reservoir.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service hand crew, Douglas County helicopter, USFS Monument helicopter
  • Containment: 6/16/2024 at 6:20 @ 3 acres
  • Controlled: 6/22/2024 @ 7:00 pm for 0.3 acres
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Fuels: Duff and trees
  • #BearCreekFire_CO
Map:


   

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Fire Activity 6/11/24

 Interlaken Fire

Time Reported:  6/11/2024 2:01 pm

  • Size: 165 acres
  • Location:12 miles Southwest of Leadville, CO Lake County, Leadville Ranger District.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service & Lake County resources on scene. A type three helicopter has been ordered.
  • Containment
  • Controlled:  
  • Structures Threatened
  • Evacuation: For information on evacuations follow https://www.facebook.com/lcso2019
  • Closures: No camping east side of Twin Lakes and around Interlaken trailhead, Willis Gulch trailhead is closed.
  • Cause: Unknown
  • Fuels: Timber, grass understory
  • #InterlakenFire_CO
Map:

Fire Activity 6/10/24

 Stover Gulch Fire

Time Reported:  6/10/2024 5:40 pm

  • Size: .10 acre
  • Location: Custer County, 12.5 miles North West of Westcliff, CO, San Carlos Ranger District.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service resources on scene. The fire received precipitation over the night. 
  • Containment6/10/2024 @ 9:16 pm  for .10 acre
  • Controlled:  
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Fuels: Single tree
  • #StoverGulchFire_CO
Map:

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Fire Activity 6/6/24

 Mount Herman Fire

Time Reported:  6/6/2024 8:22 pm

  • Size: .1 acre
  • Location: El Paso County, 3 SW miles of  Monument, CO, Pikes Peak Ranger District. Off Mt Herman road.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service resources 
  • Containment: 6/6/2024 @ 9:13  for .1 AC
  • Controlled:  
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Human, Campfire
  • Fuels:
  • #MountHermanFire_CO
Map:

Turkey Track 4 Fire

Time Reported:  6/6/2024 5:07 pm

  • Size: .1 acre
  • Location: Douglas County, 5  miles North of  Woodland Park, CO, Pikes Peak Ranger District. By the Turkey Track Shooting area.
  • Jurisdiction: US Forest Service
  • Resources: US Forest Service resources 
  • Containment: 6/6/2024 @ 6:03  for .1 AC
  • Controlled:  
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Human
  • Fuels:
  • #TurkeyTrack4_CO
Map:

  

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Fire Activity 6/2/2024

 Manitou Fire

Update: 3:35 6/2/2024  Fire is located on the Manitou Water Shed property within a fuels treatment unit. Resources on scene are US Forest Service, Manitou Springs, Colo Springs Utilities and Job Crop.  Updated size is 1 acre. 

Time Reported:  6/02/2024 12:40 pm

  • Size: 1 acre
  • Location: El Paso County,  4.5 miles northwest of Manitou Springs, CO, Pikes Peak Ranger District, near Manitou Reservoir.
  • Jurisdiction: Manitou Water Shed, US Forest Service has command
  • Resources: US Forest Service Engine 91, 4 Manitou Springs firefighters, 8 Colo Springs Utilities resources, Box Elder Job Corp and the USFS Monument helitack crew
  • Containment: 6/2/024 @ 4:45 pm for 1 acre
  • Controlled:
  • Structures Threatened: None
  • Evacuation: None
  • Closures: None
  • Cause: Lighting
  • Fuels
  • #ManitouFire.CO
 
Update 6/2/24 8PM: The fire was controlled at 4:45pm today and all containment lines are continuing to hold well. Firefighters have worked on strengthening those firelines and will continue to mop up hotspots near the fireline. Crews will be hiking out this evening and will return in the morning to continue with their efforts to control this fire. Firefighters utilized the helicopter all afternoon for making water drops to cool hotspots and the helicopter will be available for them again tomorrow. 

Today, firefighters were able to take advantage of a recent mitigation project in the City of Manitou watershed. Lighting happen to strike right in the project area that was designed to reduce fuel loading in order to mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfire. Because this project significantly reduced the amount of fuel available (smaller trees and dead/downed dead trees) for the fire to burn, the flame lengths remained small and firefighters, along with the support of a helicopter dropping water, were able to easily contain this fire. The City of Manitou Springs is one of many agencies in the local area doing this type of work and contributing to the commitment of forest management and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires to our communities. This project was finished less than 6 months ago which shows how quickly these types of projects can make a difference. The type of fire behavior today is what should be typical in this fire dependent ecosystem we live in and the more fuel reduction work that is done, the more opportunities firefighters will have to use the areas to control wildfires whether they are natural or human caused. The photos below show how well the mitigation work helped keep fire behavior low during the firefighting efforts today. 

Photo from the Monument Fire, fireline 6/2/24


                                            Photo from the Monument Fire, fireline 6/2/24
                                            Photo from the Monument Fire, fireline 6/2/24




Helicopter picking up water from the Monument Reservoir to deliver to firefighters on the fireline.  6/2/24

Photo from helicopter over fire 6/2/24

Update 6/3/24 1PM:The fire containment lines are continuing to hold well. Firefighters are working on strengthening those firelines and will continue to mop up the interior. minor smokes that are present. Forest Service resources are the Helitac Crew and Engine 91 Crew, plus firefighters from Manitou Springs Fire Dept. Box Elder Job Corp Crew and the helicopter have been released.  



Map