Update from Pine Ridge Fire Public Information Officer
Current Situation:
The fire was less aggressive yesterday but remained active until 2:00 a.m. Crews will continue to reinforce the southwest corner while keeping it south of Horseshoe and Sulphur Canyons, west of the Colorado River and I-70, north of Main Canyon, and east of Mustang Ranch. The main priority remains protection of public and firefighters.
Crews on the northeast and northwest sections of the incident
will construct fireline working off the roads and conducting burnout operations
to remove unburned vegetation. On the west flank of the fire, crews will hold
and improve line as they mop up and remove low branches from pinyon and juniper
trees to keep fire on the ground and easier to control. Protection of
Cottonwood galleries along the Colorado River is also a primary
focus.
“The weather’s on our side today and we’re making good
progress,” said Operation Section Chief Russ Long. Temperatures will be
slightly cooler with low relative humidity and winds out of the west. This will
increase the potential for fire activity on the north and south flanks to push
east. With lighter winds, the potential for long range spotting will
lessen.
As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, management of the Pine Ridge
Fire transitioned from the local Upper Colorado River Type 3 Incident Management
Team (IMT) to the Rocky Mountain Type 1 IMT. This will allow local fire
management the opportunity to regroup and prepare for other initial attack and
response needs. Several UCR Type 3 IMT members will continue working with the
Rocky Mountain IMT.
Closures:
Mesa County, Colorado Tonight at 9:30 p.m., Sheriff Stan Hilkey in tangent with the Pine Ridge Fire Incident Commander and the DeBeque Fire Chief lifted the evacuation order for some of the residents displaced yesterday in the area south of the Town of DeBeque. The evacuation order remains in place, EXCEPT FOR:
• Areas along Interstate 70 and the Frontage Road
from the DeBeque Interchange south to S 1/2 Road
• Between the Colorado River and 45.5 Road
• This include people with addresses on I-70
Frontage Road, S 1/2 Road, U Road, T Road and those address along 45.5 Road from
I-70 to T Road
A fire warning is still in effect for this area and these
residents, should they choose to return home, should remain on pre-evacuation
alert. Mandatory evacuation orders are still in place for areas east of 45.5
Road from T Road south to Hwy 65. This includes those residents on or near Horse
Canyon Road or "Turkey Tracks." The danger in these areas remains very high.
1-70 is currently open but travelers should be aware that
road closures could be implemented if fire activity warrants.
Community Meeting:
A community meeting is being held today at 5:30 pm at The Community Center, 397 Minter Ave, DeBeque.Fire Statistics:
Location: 10 miles northeast of Grand Junction,
CO
Start Date: June 27, 2012
Start Date: June 27, 2012
Size: 12,431
acres
Percent Contained: 10
Percent Contained: 10
Cause:
Lightning
Total Personnel: Approximately 435
Total Personnel: Approximately 435
Resources Include: 15 hand crews, 21 engines, and overhead
personnel.
Air Resources: 3 helicopters, 1 Skycrane arriving today, 4
heavy air tankers and fixed wing support
