Alkali Fire 50 percent contained; Northwest Colorado crews respond to multiple new starts

Information update provided by BLM PIO Lynn Barcly 

As firefighters brought the 20,690-acre Alkali Fire burning 14 miles north of Maybell to 50 percent containment today, other crews responded to numerous other starts.

 Cloud cover and higher humidity kept fire activity minimal on the Alkali Fire today, with most of the acres having burned last night. Approximately 70 firefighters and six engines are working this fire.

The fire was reported yesterday afternoon and its cause remains under investigation. A homestead cabin, barn and propane tank were destroyed last night. The fire is primarily on private land, with a small amount of Bureau of Land Management public lands.

 Approximately 30 firefighters made good progress containing the 276-acre Carl’s Hole Fire on BLM land about 30 miles west of Meeker, although a specific containment figure was not available. The fire was startedTuesday night by lightning. No structures are immediately threatened.

 Since Wednesday afternoon, resources from the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit and its cooperators have responded to at least 17 other fires. Three single-engine air tankers and two helicopters have helped keep these initial attack fires small.