Daily Wildfire Update

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.  Information as of 6 p.m. 


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
·         Lime Gulch Fire
·         Bull Gulch Fire
·         Brush Creek
·         East Fork
·         Wild Rose
·         Collins Fire
·         Trickle Mountain Fire
·         Wild Hacking Complex
·         Big Meadows


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:


·           INCIWEB:  http://www.inciweb.org/state/6/


·           Colorado Office of Emergency Management: http://www.coemergency.com/




·           Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center:http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html


·           US Forest Service Active Fire Map: http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php




West Fork Fire Complex (includes West Fork, Windy Pass and Papoose Fires)


Fire Start Date:  June 19, 2013
Location/County:  Archuleta and Hinsdale Counties
Cause:  Lightning
Acres: 53,544
Containment: 0%
Evacuations: 4,500
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none reported. Mandatory evacuation for South Fork
Resources:   351 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  Hwy 149 closed from Creede to South Fork. Working structure protection. Two additional Fire Management Officers being assigned to assist.
Executive Order Issued?: Yes (verbal, to be followed by written)
Funding: Emergency Fire Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant
Source(s):  www.inciweb.org, SEOC Status Report


East Peak Fire


Fire Start Date:  June 19, 2013
Location/County:  Huerfano County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 11,386
Containment: 0%
Evacuations: ~700
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:   154 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  Developing re-entry and reception plans
Executive Order Issued?: Yes
Funding: Emergency Fire Fund, Fire Management Assistance Grant
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Lime Gulch Fire
Fire Start Date:  June 19, 2013
Location/County:  Jefferson County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 511
Containment: 15%
Evacuations: none reported
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:  358 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  Expecting to transition back to Type III IMT Tuesday
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal fire)
Funding: Emergency Fire Fund
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Bull Gulch Fire
Fire Start Date:  June 10, 2013
Location/County:  Fremont County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 150
Containment: 30%
Evacuations: 0
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:   108 personnel assigned
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal lands)
Funding:  fire on federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Brush Creek
Fire Start Date:  June 20, 2013
Location/County:  Garfield
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 403
Containment: 0%
Evacuations: none reported
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:  144 personnel assigned
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal land)
Funding: federal land 
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


East Fork
Fire Start Date:  June 15, 2013
Location/County:  Gunnison
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 300
Containment: 0%
Evacuations: 0
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:   95 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal land)
Funding: federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Wild Rose Fire


Fire Start Date:  June 19, 2013
Location/County:  Rio Blanco County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 1,067
Containment: 10%
Evacuations: none
Fatalities:  none
Structures Lost:  none
Resources: 360 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal land)
Funding: federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Collins Fire
Fire Start Date:  June 21, 2013
Location/County:  Rio Blanco County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 379
Containment: 10%
Evacuations: 0
Fatalities:  None
Structures Lost:  none
Resources:   60 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal land)
Funding: federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Trickle Mountain Fire


Fire Start Date:  June 20, 2013
Location/County:  Saguache County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 277
Containment: 10%
Evacuations: none
Fatalities:  none
Structures Lost:  none
Resources: 32 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  
Executive Order Issued?: No ( federal land)
Funding: federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Wild Hacking Complex


Fire Start Date:  June 13, 2013
Location/County:  Moffat County
Cause:  under investigation
Acres: 396
Containment: 90%
Evacuations: none
Fatalities:  none
Structures Lost:  none
Resources: 34 personnel assigned
Significant Events:  
Executive Order Issued?: No (federal land)
Funding: federal land
Source(s): SEOC Status Report


Big Meadows Fire


Fire Start Date:  June 10, 2013
Location/County:  Rocky Mountain National Park
Cause:  Lightning
Acres:  605
Containment: 95%
Evacuations: None reported
Injuries to Date: None reported
Structures Lost/Damaged: None reported
Resources:  Rocky Mountain Type II Incident Management Team, 37 personnel
Executive Order Issued?: Yes View the Order
Source(s): 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 2.  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.




There are active fire weather watches and warnings Colorado.  For more information go tohttp://www.weather.gov/alerts-beta/co.php?x=1. A map can be viewed at http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/firewx/main.php.