Colorado Wildfire Report: June 26 #COfire



About this report: This wildfire update is provided by the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in partnership with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control to keep you informed of current wildfires for which the State is currently supporting and monitoring. The update does not cover all wildfires currently burning in Colorado that may be smaller incidents. Information as of 5 p.m.
This update contains information on the fires the State EOC is monitoring and supporting in Colorado: 
  • West Fork Complex Fire (Includes West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose Fires)
  • East Peak Fire
  • East Fork Fire
  • Brush Creek Fire
  • Big Meadows Fire
  • Ox Cart Fire

There have been many smaller fires start in the state (less than 100 acres and without damage to structures or harm to people). These fires have been largely put out in the first operational periods and have not exceeded 100 acres. I am not including these fires in the daily report.
Important Note: Information on current and future Colorado wildfires can be obtained from the following websites, which are updated regularly during incidents:

West Fork Fire Complex (includes West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose Fires)


  • Fire Start Date: June 5, 2013
  • Location/County: Archuleta and Hinsdale Counties
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 81,331
  • Containment: 0%
  • Evacuations: 1,500
  • Fatalities: None
  • Structures Lost: none reported. Mandatory evacuation for South Fork
  • Resources: 1,187 personnel assigned
  • Executive Order Issued: Yes
  • Funding: Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant
  • Source(s): www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, West Fork PIO 

East Peak Fire


  • Fire Start Date: June 19, 2013
  • Location/County: Huerfano County
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 13,472
  • Containment: 55%
  • Evacuations: 455
  • Fatalities: None
  • Structures Lost: 28 Structures (12 homes all others are outbuildings or cabins)
  • Resources: 753 personnel assigned
  • Executive Order Issued: Yes
  • Funding: Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant
  • Source(s): www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, East Peak PIO press release

East Fork Fire


  • Fire Start Date: June 15, 2013
  • Location/County: Gunnison
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 447
  • Containment: 0%
  • Evacuations: Campgrounds around Silver Jack Reservoir and Owl Creek Pass, 35 pre-evacuation notices to homes
  • Fatalities: None
  • Structures Lost: none
  • Resources: 335 personnel assigned
  • Executive Order Issued: No (federal land)
  • Funding: federal land
  • Source(s): SEOC Status Report

Brush Creek Fire


  • Fire Start Date: June 20, 2013
  • Location/County: Garfield
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 400
  • Containment: 90%
  • Evacuations: none reported
  • Fatalities: None
  • Structures Lost: none
  • Resources: 140 personnel assigned
  • Executive Order Issued: No (federal land)
  • Funding: federal land
  • Source(s): www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report
  • Executive Order Issued: No (federal land)
  • Funding: federal land
  • Source(s): SEOC Status Report

Big Meadows Fire


  • Fire Start Date: June 10, 2013
  • Location/County: Rocky Mountain National Park
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 650
  • Containment: 95%
  • Evacuations: None reported
  • Injuries to Date: None reported
  • Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
  • Resources: 27 personnel assigned
  • Executive Order Issued: Yes View the Order
  • Source(s): www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report

Ox Cart Fire


  • Fire Start Date: June 9, 2013
  • Location/County: Rio Grande NF, San Isabel NF, Saguache County and Fremont County on USFS land
  • Cause: Lightning
  • Acres: 1,151
  • Containment: 0%
  • Evacuations: None reported
  • Injuries to Date: None reported
  • Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
  • Resources: 132 personnel assigned – Type 2 Incident Command Team ordered
  • Executive Order Issued: No: federal land
  • Source(s): www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, GACC website, USFS: http://www.fs.usda.gov/riogrande

Today’s Fire Outlook


The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area has increased to Preparedness Level 3. The Nation remains at a Preparedness Level 4. This rating indicates highly complex large fire activity is occurring, with multiple large fires in the zone. Fire severity is extreme as reported in multiple areas, and fires are escaping initial attack, as evident by the number of large fires. Multiple regional dispatch centers are experiencing an incident requiring type-1 or type-2 teams, and a majority of zone resources are committed.

Monthly Seasonal Outlook from the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center: http://www.nifc.gov/nicc/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf

 There is no current state-wide fire restriction. Each county is responsible for enacting appropriate restrictions.


There are active fire weather watches and warnings Colorado. For more information visit http://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.