Update from the Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer
Firefighters working the Pine
Ridge Fire today are focusing on keeping the fire west of Interstate 70 and out
of developed areas.
Interstate 70 is currently open in this
area, but intermittent closures are expected today due to firefighting activity
and smoke. Traffic has been diverted around I-70 between mile markers 62 and 49,
but this detour could also be closed if the fire crosses I-70 or the smoke
becomes an issue.
The fire is currently estimated at
approximately 12,000 acres with 5 percent containment. Two helicopters are
supporting firefighters today, and four air tankers are available.
Firefighters worked into the night last
night burning out a fireline on the northeast side of the fire to help protect
the Town of De Beque. They are continuing to secure that line
today.
The evacuation on the southeast side
of De Beque remains in place (south of U Road, west of 45.5 Road and east
of I-70).
About 35 oil and gas wells are in the
affected area of the fire. The operators have shut-in the wells, which means
they are not producing oil and gas.
A Type 1 Incident Management Team will
assume command of the fire tomorrow morning.
Contact: Skye Sieber, Public Information
Officer, 970
456-3623
Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire
Management Unit
Follow us on Twitter @UCRFireCenter
Media Hotline: (970) 244-3104
