Sunrise Mine Fire Update

Press Release from the Sunrise Mine Fire Public Information Officers

Sunrise Mine Fire Update
Rocky Basin 2 Incident Management Team
Incident Commander: Rich Harvey
For Immediate Release: May 30, 2012 9:00 p.m.
Fire Information: (435) 619-1651 or(208) 866-2009
Email: rockybasin1@gmail.com; subject line “Info”
(Daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.)
Fire Facts:
Date started: May 25, 2012
Number of Personnel: 621
Location: SW of Gateway, Colorado
Crews: 11 Type 1 (Hotshots) and 8 Type 2
Size: 6,130 acres
Engines: 10
Percent Contained: 70%
Water Tenders: 11
Estimated Containment: June 3,2012
Cause: Under investigation
Dozers: 1
Helicopters: 2 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 3 Type 3
Structures threatened: 10 residences,
15 outbuildings/other
Injuries to Date: 2
Cost to Date: $1,948,879


Special Notice:
An area of closure is in effect for Carpenter Ridge in Colorado and Utah, Sinbad Ridge in Colorado and Utah, Buckeye Basin to include the Buckeye Campground, and all Manti-La Salle National Forest Lands in Colorado north of Willow Basin Creek/Buckeye Creek to include forest roads 54135, 50377, 50371, 50378, 54150, 54755, 54145, 50373, 50358, 54755, 54148, 54132 and forest trail 50965.

Today’s Events:
Firefighters made significant progress today holding and reinforcing existing containment lines while at the same time other crews were constructing new line in the last remaining sections of the fire perimeter. A passing cold front at midday today produced a change in wind direction. This test of the line on the northeast sector produced only a minor increase in acreage. Crews in the southwest and northeast portions of the fire were aided by helicopter water drops and air tanker retardant drops. These drops are utilized to cool the flames for firefighter safety and improve line construction efficiency. Structure protection is in place on private lands north of the fire in Sinbad Valley and on private lands west of the fire. Light winds and slightly higher relative humidity is predicted for tomorrow which should allow for continued line improvement. As always, firefighter and public safety is the number one priority in conducting wildland firefighting operations.
###