News Release and Current Map from Little Sand Fire Public Information Officers - May 30 at 10:00 a.m.
News Release
May 30, 2012 8:00 a.m.
(MST)
Contact: Laura McConnell,
PIO
Email:
theLittleSandFire@Gmail.com
Phone: 970.444.2201
Recorded Message:
970.264.4731
*** PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED ***
Wednesday, May 30th
beginning 2:30 p.m. at Sportsman’s
Campground
Wednesday, May 30th beginning 5:30 p.m. Pagosa
Springs H.S.
auditorium
|
Pagosa
Springs, CO – The weather for today is calling for warmer
temperatures and lighter winds. The inversion will weaken and smoke is predicted
to begin clearing out earlier. Yesterday smoke drifted to the
northeast, today with shifting winds it will move west and then
southeast.
Fuels, or vegetation, are
very dry for this time of year and low moisture levels in the pondersosa pine
makes them susceptible to torching. There’s enough moisture in grasses and
lighter fuels to help slow the fires movement where there is a layer of dead
pine litter the fire continues to spread and readily burns.
Fire crews on the north end
of the fire working near the Piedra Road above the Bridge Campground.
They will be taking down snags or hazard trees for safety concerns and
will scout for areas to prep in the area of Sportsman’s Campground. A dozer is
being used to improve old logging roads for better access.
On the southern end of the
fire, crews will monitor along the indirect fireline and take care of any
spotting from embers. A portion of the west side of the fire will be monitored
by air today.
Engines will return to do
structure protection around the homes north and east of the incident.
Helicopters will again assist firefighters with water drops when
needed.
Concerns for firefighters
today will include the potential for spotting and firebrands landing downslope
from hotspots, falling snags and shifting winds altering fire
behavior.
Fire Stats at a
glance:
Start
Date: May 13th, 2012
Cause: Lightning
Acreage: 3,754
Personnel:
243
Crews: 6
Cooperating
Agencies: Hinsdale County, Archuleta
County, USFS, CSFS
Dozers: 1
Aviation:1-Type
1 Helicopter, 1-Type 3 Helicopter, Air Attack
Engines: 5
Injuries: None
Structures
destroyed: None
Structures
threatened: 40 including
outbuildings
Cost to
date:
$725,000
###
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