News release from the Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit PIO.
The Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit responded to four lightning caused wildland fires that were reported to Craig Interagency Dispatch Center Sunday afternoon, June 22.
The Big Jimmy is the largest of the wildland fires at eleven acres on Bureau of Land Management managed land in the Piceance Basin area about 20 miles southwest of Meeker, Rio Blanco County. The fire is burning in pinion and juniper and was very active late yesterday with flames running through the tree crowns. A type 3 helicopter was ordered to assist with water drops and carry supplies to the three engine crews fighting the fire. Crews had the north and east flanks of the fire lined late yesterday working to keep it from burning onto private land.
The two one tenth acre fires in Piceance Basin on BLM land are contained and each has an engine crew assigned.
The Maybell Fire on private land one mile southeast of Maybell, Moffat County is one tenth acre and was contained yesterday shortly after 4 p.m. The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Maybell Volunteer Fire Department and BLM responded to this wildland fire.
Fire danger remains high in Moffat and Rio Blanco counties and moderate in Routt, Jackson and Grand counties.
Now that annual perennial grasses are curing and losing moisture, local, state and federal fire officials ask that you use fire outdoors safely. Always check weather conditions prior to igniting any fire and have a shovel and water on hand to douse and smother fires. Never leave any outdoor fire unattended until it is completely extinguished.
Check with you local Sheriff’s Office for local burn ordinances and before beginning any agriculture burning.
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