A type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume management of the Citadel and Tschuddi fires. The RM IMT is expected to arrive this evening in Meeker and meet with county, state and federal managers for a briefing on the fire situation.
Today five single engine air tankers and two helicopters are assigned to the Citadel and East Tschuddi fires. They will be providing aerial reconnaissance and dropping retardant to slow the fires spread.
Citadel Fire, Moffat County: Fire crews worked late into the evening conducting a burnout operation off a road on the southwest side of the Citadel Fire in order to establish an anchor point. This provides a safe area for fire fighters to begin building fireline. The fire remained active through the night and terrain is rough hard to access. Crews assigned to the Citadel incident include two hot shot crews, one type 1 initial attack crew, two type 2 20-person hand crews, and Moffat County Road and Bridge equipment including a water tender.
At last report the fire is: esitmated1,600 acres; lightning caused; started on Bureau of Land Management land and burned on to state land; vegetation is timber, sagebrush and pinion and juniper trees; 0% contained; reported July 21, 2013; 40 miles northwest of Meeker; no injuries reported; and three structures are threatened.
Tschuddi Fire, Rio Blanco County: Crews worked yesterday building fireline on the east and south flanks of the fire. The blaze was active on the south flank last night. The Tschuddi Fire started on BLM land and moved on to Colorado Parks and Wildlife land. Yesterday crews took actions to protect a historical CPW by burning out around the cabin which removes fuel for the fire. Another CPW cabin is one and one half mile northeast of the blaze. Crews assigned to the East Tschuddi incident are one hot shot crew, one type 2 20-person hand crew, one squad and one water tender.
The fire currently is: 652 acres; lightning caused; vegetation is oak brush; timber, and pinion and juniper trees; 5% contained; reported July 20, 2013; 20 miles northwest of Meeker; no injuries; and one structure threatened.
More warm, dry conditions are expected through tomorrow evening. Fire danger is high in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties.
Information provided by Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit Information Officer.
