Due to lighter winds and cooler temperatures fire crews caught a break from yesterday’s intense fire activity last night. A return to high winds, low humidity and high temperatures are expected today as a Red Flag Warning remains in effect.
Fire personnel are back on the fire line this morning securing an anchor point so crews have a safe area to work from to begin flanking the fire. They plan to get air tankers up this morning before the wind returns to drop retardant on the right flank of the blaze. High winds yesterday prevented the use of retardant.
Challenges for crews fighting the Wild Rose Fire include spotting up to one mile ahead of the fire, limited access to water, rugged terrain and extreme fire behavior.
A Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive this afternoon to assume management of the Wild Rose Fire which will allow the Northwest Colorado Fire Manage Unit to respond to new and existing incidents.
The first priority is public and fire fighter safety while holding the fire from spreading north and east.
Fire personnel are back on the fire line this morning securing an anchor point so crews have a safe area to work from to begin flanking the fire. They plan to get air tankers up this morning before the wind returns to drop retardant on the right flank of the blaze. High winds yesterday prevented the use of retardant.
Challenges for crews fighting the Wild Rose Fire include spotting up to one mile ahead of the fire, limited access to water, rugged terrain and extreme fire behavior.
A Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team will arrive this afternoon to assume management of the Wild Rose Fire which will allow the Northwest Colorado Fire Manage Unit to respond to new and existing incidents.
The first priority is public and fire fighter safety while holding the fire from spreading north and east.
Fire Stats:
- Size: Approximately 850 acres
- Aviation: 3 helicopters; air tankers as needed
- Start date and time: June 19, 1:48 p.m.
- Fuel type: pinion and juniper trees
- Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management
- Threatened: 40 oil/gas wells, compressor sites
- Cause: Lightning
- Evacuated: Mountain Home Youth Camp
- Resources on scene:
- 3 20-person hand crews
- 1- squad smokejumpers
- 2- engine for structure protection
Information provided by BLM public information officer.
