Colorado Wildfire Report: July 1

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. 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
  • 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 Name
West Fork Fire Complex:
West Fork Fire| Papoose Fire| Windy Pass Fire
Fire Start Date
June 5, 2013
Location/County
Archuleta and Hindsdale
Cause
Lightning
Acres
96,742
Containment
4%
Evacuations
 ~125
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported
Resources
1,508 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued
Yes
Funding
Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
Information Sources
www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, West Fork PIO

East Peak Fire

 

Fire Name
East Peak Fire
Fire Start Date
June 19, 2013
Location/County
Huerfano County
Cause
Lightning
Acres
13,572
Containment
95%
Evacuations
Evacuations Lifted
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
28  structures (10 homes)
Resources
269 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued
Yes
Funding
Disaster Emergency Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG)
Information Sources
www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report, East Peak PIO

East Fork Fire



Fire Name
East Fork Fire
Fire Start Date
June 15, 2013
Location/County
Gunnison County
Cause
Lightning
Acres
447
Containment
15%
Evacuations
Campgrounds around Silver Jack Reservoir and Owl Creek Pass, 35 pre-evacuations
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported
Resources
287 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued
No – Federal Land
Funding
Federal Land
Information Sources
www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report

Big Meadows Fire



Fire Name
Big Meadows Fire
Fire Start Date
June 10, 2013
Location/County
Grand County/ Rocky Mountain National Park
Cause
Lightning
Acres
652
Containment
95%
Evacuations
None Reported
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported
Resources
23 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued
Yes
Funding
Federal Land
Information Sources
www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report

Ox Cart Fire



Fire Name
Ox Cart Fire
Fire Start Date
June 9, 2013
Location/County
Rio Grande NF, San Isabel NF, Saguache and Fremont Counties
Cause
Lightning
Acres
1,152
Containment
95%
Evacuations
None Reported
Fatalities
None Reported
Structures Lost
None Reported
Resources
167 Personnel Assigned
Executive Order Issued
No – Federal Land
Funding
Federal Land
Information Sources
www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report

Today’s Fire Outlook

The fire situation rating for the Rocky Mountain Area has increased to Preparedness Level 4. The Nation remains at a Preparedness Level 3. 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.

View COEM’s current map of Colorado Fire Restrictions at: https://www.google.com/fusiontables/embedviz?viz=MAP&q=select+col4+from+1o76CJOtWMM37FdAb-dpQdTeUlwkbC0oBFAETH78&h=false&lat=39.02634487425597&lng=-105.550565&z=7&t=1&l=col4

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.