Grizzly Fire near Glenwood Springs continues to spread along Interstate 70

August 16, 2020  |  10:35 a.m. MDT

The Grizzly Creek Fire burning on both sides of Interstate 70 east of Glenwood Springs grew by more than 6,000 acres Saturday to bring the total size up to 25,690 acres.

Resources that were assigned to the fire Saturday evening included 13 hand crews, 32 engines, and 13 helicopters for a total of 625 personnel. That was an increase of 72 people over the day before.

For a 25,690-acre fire that started six days ago and has closed a major Interstate highway for that entire time, this is not a huge commitment of hardware and firefighters on a full-suppression fire threatening 1,162 structures. It is difficult to compare fires without worrying about apples vs. oranges, but Saturday an 11,000-acre wilderness fire in remote northern California, the Red Salmon Complex, had 24 hand crews, 36 engines, and 14 helicopters for a total of 1,281 personnel. That was a decrease of 209 people over the day before. The Red Salmon Complex was reported on July 27 and has had more time to develop the organization.

“We have not had problems getting the resources that we need,” said Mary Cernicek, an information officer for the fire’s Incident Management Team.”

Three structures have been destroyed. At least two of those were outbuildings and the third was described as a “small structure”.

The plan developed by the Incident Management Team is for hotshot and engine crews to continue to establish structure protection measures and plans for additional subdivisions and dispersed holdings that may be impacted. Hand crews will establish indirect lines for future control operations in accessible terrain where exposure risks have been mitigated. Heavy equipment will establish indirect lines on the north and south sides of the fire.

The typical COVID-19 precautions and procedures for a fire are in place on the Grizzly Creek Fire, including those for operational period briefings. “The morning briefings are virtual, so we only have the presenters attend those and the rest attend virtually or over the radio,” said Ms. Cernicek.

The estimated cost to date is $6.3 million.

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August 15, 2020 | 7 a.m. MDT

The Grizzly Fire east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado spread to the north, east, and south Friday, adding another 6,000 acres to bring the total up to 19,440.

Firefighters were able to confirm that the immediate area around Hanging Lake which was overrun by the fire Thursday did not burn, but there was still fire in nearby. For locals, the lake is a very beautiful and special landmark.

To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Grizzly Creek Fire, including the most recent, click here.

The fire has forced the closure of a 57-mile section of Interstate 70 for five days; there is no estimate for reopening.