The change occurred at 2 p.m. MDT Friday, “…due to an increase in resource mobilization, competition for resources, significant incidents occurring in multiple geographic areas and critical fire weather conditions in those geographic areas.”
As of today, October 18, fourteen active large fires have burned more than 228,000 acres in five states. Twelve new large fires were reported this week.
Firefighting resources committed to fires today:
87 hand crews
166 engines
22 helicopters
3,181 personnel
“Fire Season” is now “Fire Year”.
Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches, current at 6:15 p.m MDT October, 18, 2019 Click to enlarge.
(Red Flag Warnings can be modified throughout the day as NWS offices around the country update and revise their weather forecasts.)
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to LM. Typos or errors, report them HERE.
3-D map (looking east) showing the perimeter of the Cow Creek Fire at 10:04 p.m. Oct. 17, 2019. Click to enlarge. The spot fires are on the left.
Updated at 10:12 a.m. MDT October 18, 2019
The Cow Creek Fire climbed further up the steep slopes east of Ridgway, Colorado on Thursday, growing to 655 acres according to an overnight mapping flight. (see map) Burning embers started three spot fires near the western base of Courthouse Mountain about 0.75 miles away from the main fire. The incident management team said the spot fires are within the identified area of containment and currently pose no threat to private property or structures.
The spot fires are at 10,700 feet in an area that has Aspen groves in their autumn colors. The main ridge to the east ranges from 11,000 to 12,000 feet.
Fire officials ordered a Type 2 Incident Management Team Thursday night.
Below is an update from the Forest Service at 8:45 a.m. October 18:
Access to the Cow Creek Fire remains a safety concern for assigned fire crews. Rugged terrain combined with dry fuels have caused crews to adopt an indirect confine and contain suppression strategy. Firefighters spent Thursday identifying and constructing contingency lines in areas where predictive models have shown a potential for fire spread. These lines, using existing natural and manmade features, will help contain the fire in the event of rapid spread. On Friday, crews are expected to continue confine and containment operations.
Fire Weather: On Friday, forecasts show scattered showers throughout the morning into the afternoon with temperatures in the low to high 40s and minimum humidity ranging from 42-47%. There will be moderate southwestern winds, with strong gusts, that will shift to steady, western winds during the late morning and eventually northwest in the afternoon. Smoke from the fire could be present in Mesa, Delta, Montrose, Ouray, Gunnison, Saguache, San Miguel, Hinsdale, Garfield and Eagle counties.
Resources assigned to the fire include 2 hand crews, 2 engines, and 3 helicopters for a total of 64 personnel.
A photo of the Cow Fire on October 17 shows a spot fire shortly after it ignited near the western base Courthouse Mountain. Incident Management Team photo.Map showing the perimeter of the Cow Creek Fire at 10:04 p.m. Oct. 17, 2019.Helena Regulars 20 person handcrew on the Cow Creek Fire near West Fork October 17, 2019, with Chimney Rock in the background. IMT photo.
The National Association of Forest Service Retirees (NAFSR) conducted an analysis of the capacity of the Forest Service’s workforce. They looked at the existing characteristics of the agency and conducted lengthy interviews with 33 employees in all nine regions.
Topics covered in the interviews:
Leadership, culture, and direction,
Workforce capacity,
Consolidation and zoning,
On the ground management, and,
Partnerships.
The recommendations of the NAFSR:
Hire employees with skill sets necessary to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration.
Totally revamp the hiring process, streamlining procedures, removing all roadblocks and restoring connections with field units.
Eliminate unnecessary administrative burdens.
Increase funding to hire new employees, contract work and enter into partnerships.
Delegate authority to field units.
Implement all actions previously suggested by NAFSR, including administrative reforms and the 2021 budget initiative.
You can download the cover letter(.docx file) the group sent to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, as well as the 11-page report(.pdf file). The documents are intended to be shared with anyone who has an interest.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Dick. Typos or errors, report them HERE.
The Elk Fire is 6 miles southeast of Red Feather Lakes
The Elk Fire. CBS Copter 4, October 16, 2019.
12:42 p.m. MDT October 17, 2019
A prescribed fire at a scout ranch escaped control in Colorado on Wednesday forcing residents out of their homes. The Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative and Nature Conservancy Colorado were conducting the “Elkhorn 4 Prescribed Burn” at the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch near Red Feather Lakes south of W. County Road 74e and road 68c.
Thursday morning the Larimer County Sheriff’s office reported that the fire, which was named Elk, had not grown much overnight. The total size of the incident was 622 acres which included 472 acres within the project boundary.
At noon on Thursday mandatory evacuation orders were still in place for Glacier View Gates 7 through 13. One shed has been damaged and 50 homes are threatened.
The Elk Fire is in north-central Colorado 6 miles southeast of Red Feather Lakes and 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins. (see map below)
Map showing heat detected on the Elk Fire by a satellite at 3:30 a.m. Oct. 17, 2019.
In addition to firefighters on the ground the fire was attacked by aircraft including at least one large air tanker (RJ85 Tanker 163) and a single engine air tanker.
The change occurred at 2 p.m. MDT Friday, “…due to an increase in resource mobilization, competition for resources, significant incidents occurring in multiple geographic areas and critical fire weather conditions in those geographic areas.”
