The Pack Creek Fire burned approximately eight residences Tuesday
A fast moving vegetation fire spread from a wooded area into a Moab neighborhood at about 6 p.m. Tuesday. Soon after it started west of the Cinema Court apartment complex law enforcement officers began evacuating residents in the path of the fire as firefighters began suppression efforts. Late Tuesday night the Police Department reported that a preliminary survey indicates that eight homes, one garage, and two parking canopies were destroyed.
Five firefighters and a small number of civilians were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation or heat exhaustion.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire with assistance from other agencies.
Getting our first look at the fire damage in Moab now. Last update was 8 homes destroyed. Awaiting @CityofMoab news conference this morning. I’ll be live on @KSL5TV at 12 and 12:30. pic.twitter.com/zAHRhndIUf
Above: The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at the Buffalo Mountain Fire near Silverthorne, Colorado at 1:39 p.m. MDT June 12, 2018
(Originally published at 4:03 p.m. MDT June 12, 2018)
The Buffalo Mountain Fire started today, June 12, on the west side of Silverthorne, Colorado north of Frisco near Buffalo Mountain. At about 6:30 p.m. the Forest Service announced that it had burned about 90 acres.
The name was changed from “Buffalo Fire” to “Buffalo Mountain Fire” Tuesday afternoon.
Approximately 1,400 homes are under evacuation orders, which are likely to remain in effect through Tuesday night at least.
The local District Ranger said at a community meeting that the fuel reduction projects they had been working on for years are paying off, helping to protect structures.
Firefighters on the 416 Fire. Photo uploaded to Inciweb around June 9, 2018. Photographer unknown.
(UPDATED at 7:03 a.m. MDT June 13, 2018)
Most of the spread of the 416 Fire north of Durango, Colorado Tuesday and Tuesday night was on the west side where it continues to grow onto the higher slopes in terrain that becomes increasingly difficult for ground-based firefighters. The fire ate up about 1,500 acres to bring the total to 25,900 acres.
It was announced Tuesday night that the evacuation order for residents in San Juan County will lift at 8 a.m. on June 13. Residents will need to present a Rapid Tag resident credentials to return. The residences in San Juan County will remain on pre-evacuation notice.
The red lines indicate the perimeters of the 416 and Burro Fires at 10:51 p.m. June 12, 2018. The yellow line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.
Resources on the 416 Fire include 9 Type 1 hand crews, 14 Type 2 hand crews, 55 engines, 3 dozers, and 4 water tenders for a total of 1,028 personnel. There are 203 personnel on the Burro Fire.
There was very little growth or activity on the Burro Fire Tuesday.
Fire management authorities are not releasing the cause of either fire.
A photo I took two days ago from the 416 Fire. If you look at the photo with the flames ripping the hillside, you can see the little white dots right in front of the fire. Those are the helmets of the the Hotshots, an elite team that battle high priority fires. #416Firepic.twitter.com/XWYxuluGzJ
(Originally published at 12:12 p.m. MDT June 12, 2018)
The wildfire with the odd name, “416”, continues to be very active especially on the west side. Over the past two days it has grown two miles closer to Durango, Colorado on the south side and is now seven miles from the north edge of the city, covering a total of 23,378 acres.
The west side of the 416 Fire has been the location of most of the activity recently where it has spread seven miles west of Highway 550 and to within six miles of another blaze, the 2,337-acre Burro Fire.
A 3-D map looking northwest showing the fires north and northwest of Durango, Colorado. The red line around the 416 Fire was the perimeter at 10:12 a.m. MDT June 11. The yellow line was the perimeter two days earlier. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:13 a.m. June 12.
The west side of the 416 Fire is burning at over 8,000 feet in terrain that is difficult for ground resources. An 11,000 foot ridge separates the two fires and in normal times should serve as a barrier preventing them from merging, but the way wildfires have been behaving in recent years is anything but “normal”.
Todd Pechota’s Type 1 Incident Management Team is handling both fires.
The weather forecast for the fire area through Thursday calls for south and southwest winds of less than 10 mph, temperatures in the low 80’s, and 9 to 12 percent relative humidity. Beginning Thursday there is a chance of thunderstorms.
Map showing the fires north and northwest of Durango, Colorado. The red line around the 416 Fire was the perimeter at 10:12 p.m. MDT June 11. The yellow line was the perimeter two days earlier. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 2:13 a.m. June 12.Satellite photo at 6:42 p.m. MDT June 11, 2018, showing the Trail Mountain Fire, Badger Creek Fire, and the 416 Fire.
The Trail Mountain Fire has burned 2,637 acres in central Utah
Above: Map showing heat on the Trail Mountain Fire detected by a satellite at 2:18 a.m. MDT June 12, 2018.
A prescribed fire ignited in the Manti-La Sal National Forest in central Utah has burned 2,637 acres eight miles northwest of Huntington.
U.S. Forest Service personnel began the project on Tuesday June 5 after conducting a test burn the day before. When they had to suppress a seven-acre spot fire on Wednesday they stopped igniting the prescribed fire, but that evening the fire ran to the top of East Mountain. It is now known as the Trail Mountain Fire.
Trail Mountain Fire, posted to InciWeb around June 8, 2018.
On Thursday a Red Flag Warning for strong wind was in effect and the fire continued to grow until it stopped temporarily at a high voltage power line. At that time a Fire Weather Watch predicted elevated fire danger on Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10.
Red Flag Warning in central Utah June 7, 2018. Screenshot from Salt Lake City Fox 13.
The fire was very active on Sunday, lofting burning embers that started spot fires a mile ahead. At least one cabin and some outbuildings have burned.
Below is information released by fire officials on Monday June 11:
The Trail Mountain Fire moved into Meetinghouse Canyon Sunday after it was hit with wind gusts of up to 55 miles per hour. Winds grounded all air support and caused the fire to run north and east. Currently at 2,637 acres, and 10% containment, the fire has created heavy smoke that has been visible from local communities in Emery, Carbon and Sanpete counties.
The fire is burning in mixed conifer, with large amounts of dead and down timber. It is spotting up to a mile, leaving islands of green aspen and sage untouched. A cabin was burned in the Whetstone Creek area and other outbuildings in that area are threatened. A high voltage line is in the path of the fire, but has not sustained significant damage. The powerline remains off.
There are 259 personnel assigned to the fire, five helicopters and 11 engines. There is Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire. No drones are allowed on the fire.
Tim Roide’s Type 2 Incident Management Team will be assuming command of the fire, taking over from a Type 3 Team.
The Emery County Progress has an excellent article about the fire written by Patsy Stoddard. It is one of the best I have seen about a wildfire — very thorough and detailed.
Smoke blowing into Colorado from the fire is visible from space.
Satellite photo at 6:42 p.m. MDT June 11, 2018, showing the Trail Mountain Fire, Badger Creek Fire, and the 416 Fire.
Andy Loller. Photo credit: Weatherford Fire Department.
Richard “Andy” Loller, Jr., a firefighter assigned to the Scenic Loop Complex of Fires in the Davis Mountains of West Texas, suffered a medical emergency and passed away June 10. He was flown by helicopter to receive medical treatment and was stabilized before being placed on a medical airplane to Odessa to receive further treatment. While in flight he passed away.
“We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Andy’s passing,” said Weatherford City Manager Sharon Hayes. “He will be sorely missed by the community and all who knew and worked with him. Our prayers are with his family at this time.”
Currently, arrangements are underway to care for his family. Firefighter Loller, Jr. was 42 years of age and was assigned to Weatherford, Texas Fire Department Station 36 on A-Shift. He served 13 years in the fire service and is survived by his wife, two children, and a sister.
Our sincere condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers of firefighter Loller.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Perry. Typos or errors, report them HERE.
Above: The Boco Fire, shortly after it started June 9, 2018. Eagle County Sheriff’s Office photo.
The Boco Fire, one of two fires on Saturday in Eagle County, Colorado, quickly grew to over 400 acres in a few hours. It started 8 miles northeast of Eagle and was aggressively attacked as orders were placed for 5 Heavy Air Tankers, 1 Lead Plane, 1 Air Attack, 2 Single Engine Air Tankers, 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Hotshot crew, and 1 Type 2 Initial Attack Crew. The aircraft assisted the firefighters on the ground who responded from several agencies.
Officials report Sunday morning that it has burned 415 acres. Most of Colorado was under a Red Flag Warning Saturday which is still in effect Sunday.
— Eagle County Sheriff (@EagleCountySO) June 10, 2018
UPDATE #BoccoFire is now at 415 acres. Heavy suppression efforts are underway. Hwy 131 remains open this morning and may be closed this afternoon if necessary. pic.twitter.com/PwtgIqG3Lf
— Eagle County Sheriff (@EagleCountySO) June 10, 2018
