Brushy Mountain Fire Update
Contacts: Lee Ann Loupe, Fire
Information Officer, 970.874.6717; cell: 970.596.0246
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grand
Junction, CO (May 15, 2012) – Firefighters continue to work toward
containment of the Brushy Mountain Fire.
The fire has grown to approximately 170 acres in size and is about 80%
contained. Full containment is estimated
for Friday, May 18, pending weather and burning conditions. A “Type 3 Incident Management Team” lead by Incident
Commander Jeff Phillips is managing the fire
and the resources working it. Fire officials
say communications to and from the fire are difficult, as it is located in a
fairly remote area and there is no cell phone coverage.
The fire is burning between Delta and
Whitewater (Colorado) at the bottom of the North Fork of the Escalante Creek
and north of Forest Road #421. No homes
or structures are nearby, or threatened.
A total of 56 persons are assigned to the fire and this includes two
engines, a fire crew and various overhead (team) members. A helicopter has been assisting as well.
The Brushy Mountain Fire began on Friday,
May 11 on private land in the area and was caused by a lightning strike. The fire burned onto National Forest System
Lands on the Uncompahgre Plateau..
Weather forecasts call for a dry, cold front with gusty wind over the
next few days. Fire officials will continue to monitor the conditions and work
toward containment and control of the fire.
Members of the public are cautioned that
ground and vegetation conditions are dry and local winds and the lack of
moisture make for conditions that are ripe for wildfire. Please be careful.
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