Evacuation lifted for local residents
The East Peak Fire is now 95 percent contained and size estimated at 13,572 acres. The afternoon thunderstorm last few days have aided in progress of the containment, however, also has added to atmospheric instability and stronger storms, especially in the evenings. The fire management officials are actively assisting local resources in scanning the area for potential new starts from lightning.
All evacuations were lifted yesterday, June 28 by the Huerfano County Sheriff’s Office. Access is granted to local residents only, please check with the Sheriff’s office if there are any questions. Fire equipment traffic still abounds the immediate surrounding area. With the recent heavy rains, the road conditions are less than optimal – please use caution driving at all times.
Today’s operational plan will focus on mop up, rehab work and reassigning resources to other incidents. Firefighters are working with suggested guidelines from San Isabel National Forest to aid in recovery of the disturbed areas from the firefighting efforts. Specific instructions were given to haul back any equipment as well as garbage back to the incident base.
As the containment on the fire grows, resources are being released to support other incidents or sent back to their home units: there are 325 personnel remaining on this fire: 5 handcrews, 1 helicopter, 22 engines, 1 dozer, and 10 water tenders.
Rob Powell, Incident Commander Trainee for Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team C gave praise to the firefighters, comparing incident management practices to his duties as municipal fire department chief. “Duty, Integrity and Respect are the foundation of what we do,” said Powell. With added complexity of Wildland – Urban Interface and structure protection, he said he “could not be happier” with the progress firefigthers made on this incident and the consistent professional mannerism throughout the duration of the fire.
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