Pine Ridge Fire Final Update: July 4 (#PineRidgeFire)

Information from the Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer


Weather: Weather forecasted is taking a turn for the better.  The area will be dry, but not as hot.  The threat for thunderstorms has increased 20-25% for afternoon, providing the opportunity for additional gusty, erratic winds.


Current Situation: Yesterday, favorable weather conditions allowed firefighters to work towards full containment of the fire.  The fire is 95% contained, with expected containment of 100% by end of the day.  The management of the remaining fire activity will transition from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team to the BLM Grand Junction Field Office at 6 a.m. tomorrow.  Activities today will include reinforcing fireline constructed, patrolling, extinguishing any hot areas that still remain, and begin repair of any damage caused by fire suppression activities, like removing flagging and signs and building waterbars (trench-like erosion structures) in fireline and roads to prevent erosion during heavy rainfall.


Special Prevention Message:  Fourth of July is a time to gather family and friends for a picnic or barbeque.  Fireworks are usually part of the festivities.  However, due to the high and extreme fire danger, the public is urged to adhere to the statewide open burn ban and ban on private use of fireworks.  Many communities still intend on holding 4th of July celebrations, even without fireworks.  For information on the State of Colorado burn ban, visit Colorado Division of Emergency Management at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-and-fire-danger-rating.html.

On public land, use of fireworks is prohibited as well.  Other restrictions are also in place, like prohibition of campfires, even in campgrounds and picnic areas.  Visit http://www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gjfo.html for more information on the closure order.

Fire Statistics     

Location: 13 miles east of Grand Junction, CO in the Bookcliffs            
Start Date: June 27, 2012
Size:  13,920 acres                                                                                             
Percent Contained: 95
Cause:  Lightning
Total Personnel: 450*
Cost: $2,900,000

Note:  Resources from the fire are in the process of being demobilized back to their home units or to
another incident. 

This is the final fire update for this incident.
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