Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire, current at 9:02 p.m. MDT August 15, 2020. Incident Management Team.
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.
DC-10 dropping on the northwest side of the Grizzly Creek Fire August 14, 2020. InciWeb.
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.
August 15, 2020 | 7 a.m. MDT
A lead plane exits the drop area as an RJ85 air tanker applies retardant on the southeast side of the Grizzly Creek Fire August 13, 2020. InciWeb.
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.
3-D Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire looking northeast. The red line was the perimeter at 9:34 p.m. MDT August 14, 2020.Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire. The red line was the perimeter at 9:34 p.m. MDT August 14, 2020. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.Grizzly Creek Fire August 13, 2020. InciWeb.A lead plane exits the drop area as an RJ85 air tanker applies retardant on the southeast side of the Grizzly Creek Fire August 13, 2020. InciWeb.A DC-10 air tanker makes a downhill retardant drop on the northwest side of the Grizzly Creek Fire, August 13, 2020. InciWeb.
Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire. The red line was the perimeter at 9:53 p.m. MDT August 13, 2020. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.
The Grizzly Creek Fire east of Glenwood Springs more than doubled in size Thursday, running over 4 miles northeast on the north side of Interstate 70, burning across Hanging Lake. There was also another large slop-over south across the Interstate, expanding 2.5 miles to the southeast.
For locals, Hanging Lake is a very beautiful and special landmark. Fire officials said the immediate area around it was not severely burned.
To see all articles on Wildfire Today about the Grizzly Creek Fire, including the most recent, click here.
A mapping flight Thursday night found that the fire grew by 7,190 acres, to bring the total to 13,441 acres.
Denver7 News reported at 1 p.m. that all non-emergency flights at the Glenwood Springs Airport were suspended until further notice so it could be used for fire operations.
Large round Heliwells and smaller folding tanks are being set up at the small No Name exit off Interstate 70 to serve as dipping points for helicopters battling the fire.
The small I-70 exit called No Name is almost a functioning helo dipping port with large containers to mix fire retardant. Roadway will continue to be closed as drops on the #GrizzlyCreekFire continue. pic.twitter.com/QdOAz13xKu
The Grizzly Fire looking East from Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park at 1 p.m. August 13, 2020. IMT photo.
From the Incident Management Team at about 11:30 a.m. MDT August 13, 2020:
“Today’s weather and fire behavior is expected to be similar to Wednesday’s with active fire behavior and Red Flag Warning conditions due to gusty winds and low relative humidity. On Wednesday afternoon, the fire reached the bottom of the No Name drainage, which will be a focus of firefighters today. Hotshot crews are working to contain spot fires along the ridge south of No Name drainage, and establish an anchor point and firelines. Residents in north Glenwood Springs should be prepared for rapidly changing conditions that may lead to pre-evacuation notices. Evacuation information is posted on the Garfield County website at www.Garfield-county.com.
“Firefighters continue to do structure protection in several locations around the fire including the Shoshone Power Plant, Lookout Mountain, and the No Name subdivision. The fire is also fairly active on the east side, near Deadman’s Gulch, where crews are working to keep fire from spotting across I-70 in additional locations. Heavy equipment is working in more accessible areas. Helicopters and airtankers are supporting the efforts of engines and ground crews.
“Great Basin Type 1 Team, with Incident Commander Marty Adell, assumed command of the Grizzly Creek Fire at 6 a.m. today. Daily operations video updates will be posted on the Grizzly Creek Fire facebook page. Maps and other information will also be posted on inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6942/. The team will host a virtual FaceBook live community meeting at 6 p.m. Friday, August 14, 2020.”
August 13, 2020 | 8:28 a.m. MDT
Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire. The red line was the perimeter at 12:47 a.m. MDT August 13, 2020. The white line was the perimeter about 24 hours before.
The Grizzly Creek Fire east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado grew substantially to the northeast Wednesday by 1.7 miles, adding another 2,548 acres to bring the total up to 6,250 acres.
3-D Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire, looking northeast, at 12:47 a.m. MDT August 13, 2020.
(We will add more information about the fire later on Thursday.)
August 12, 2020 | 6:46 p.m. MDT
Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire. The red line was the perimeter at 1:04 a.m. MDT August 12. The white line was the approximate perimeter about 24 hours before. The red dots represent heat detected by a satellite at 1:42 p.m. MDT August 12, 2020.
A satellite overflight at 1:42 p.m. Wednesday determined that the Grizzly Creek Fire two miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado had spread to the northeast during the previous 12 hours. Most of the additional acreage was north of Interstate 70. The heat detected by the satellite, including the new growth, is indicated by the red dots on the map above.
The wind Wednesday afternoon measured by a weather station near the tunnel at No Name west of the fire was more moderate than in recent days. It was primarily from the west at three to six mph and the relative humidity bottomed-out at 15 percent. If this was representative of the weather on most of the fire it explains why there was little heat detected on the west side of the fire nearest Glenwood Springs.
August 12, 2020 | 7:32 a.m. MDT
3-D map of the Grizzly Creek Fire at 1:04 a.m. MDT August 12. Looking northeast.
Tuesday afternoon the Grizzly Creek fire was extremely active, spreading in almost all directions. It moved farther north deeper into the White River National Forest and spotted south across the Interstate and the Colorado River where it is now well established. The initial crossing of the river occurred on the southeast side of the fire northeast of Lookout Mountain.
(To see all articles about the Grizzly Creek Fire, including the most recent, click here.)
At 1:04 a.m. Wednesday the fire was mapped by a U.S. Forest Service using a Beechcraft 200 Super King Air. They determined that the fire had burned 3,702 acres and during the previous 24 hours ran one mile north, one mile northeast, and almost two miles across the river to the southeast. The growth to the west was not as rapid as the other sides of the fire and it was still about two miles from Glenwood Springs. At that time it was about 0.75 mile away from the community of No Name at Interstate 70 and had not crossed No Name Creek.
Again, most of the firefighting Tuesday was done from the air, since on the steep slopes and with the extreme fire behavior there was little firefighters on the ground could do to stop the spread.
Evacuations are in effect for Lookout Mountain, Coulter Creek, and the community of No Name.
Firefighters are conducting preparation work in the evacuated communities and Shone Power Plant, evaluating structures and helping create defensible space where practical.
Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire. The red line was the perimeter at 1:04 a.m. MDT August 12. The white line was the approximate perimeter about 24 hours before.Grizzly Fire August 11, 2020. Photo by Garfield County Sheriffs Office.
Heavy duty pyrocumulus forming over the Grizzly Creek Fire, August 11, 2020. By Kyle Nelson.
Tuesday afternoon the Grizzly Creek fire was extremely active, spreading in almost all directions. It moved farther north deeper into the White River National Forest, spread east on the north side of Interstate 70, and spotted south across the Interstate and the Colorado River where it is now well established. The initial crossing of the river occurred on the southeast side of the fire northeast of Lookout Mountain.
(To see all articles about the Grizzly Creek Fire, including the most recent, click here.)
Most of the firefighting Tuesday was done from the air, since on the steep slopes and with the extreme fire behavior there was little firefighters on the ground could do to stop the spread.
Evacuations are in effect for Lookout Mountain, Coulter Creek, and the community of No Name.
Firefighters are conducting preparation work in the evacuated communities and Shone Power Plant, evaluating structures and helping create defensible space where practical.
Interstate 70 remains closed between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum.
UPDATED August 11, 2020 | 2:03 p.m. MDT
Map of the Grizzly Creek Fire at 12:30 p.m. MDT August 11, 2020.
At about 1 p.m. Tuesday the Garfield Sheriff’s Office ordered an evacuation of the No Name community which is between the Grizzly Creek Fire and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Glenwood Springs Community Center is the relocation point.
Fire officials said at 1:45 p.m Tuesday the fire has burned 1,832 acres, an increase of about 500 acres from a previous estimate.
Updated August 11, 2020 | 8:30 a.m. MDT
Map showing the approximate location of the Grizzly Creek Fire 2 miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado looking northeast at 2:36 am MDT August 11, 2020. Based on heat detected by a satellite.
At 9 p.m. MDT Monday fire officials estimated the Grizzly Creek Fire two air miles east of Glenwood Springs had burned about 1,300 acres.
When the fire was first reported in the Interstate 70 median at 1:29 p.m. Monday it was attacked along the highway by firefighters on the ground and from the air by two Very Large Air Tanker (DC-10s), five large air tankers, five helicopters, and two Single Engine Air Tankers. Most of the firefighting effort Monday afternoon took place from the air due to the rugged terrain and extreme fire behavior. The elevation on the fire ranges from 5,800′ on the Interstate to 8,500′ on the ridges.
Interstate 70 was closed Monday night in both directions and there is no estimate when it will open.
Six hand crews have been dispatched to the Grizzly Creek fire: Alpine Hotshots from Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Blue Ridge Hotshots from the Coconino National Forest in Arizona, three 20-person Type 2 crews from Oregon, and one wildland fire module from California.
Updated August 10, 2020 | 10:44 p.m. MDT
Grizzly Creek Fire, August 10, 2020. IMT photo.
Two Incident Management Teams have been ordered for the Grizzly Creek Fire on Interstate 70 two miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Rocky Mountain Area Type 2 Blue Team with Incident Commander Michael Haydon will be the first of the two to assume command. A higher qualified Type 1 Rocky Basin Team led by Incident Commander Marty Adell has also been ordered to at some point take over from the Type 2 team. The Type 1 team will in-brief August 12 at 8 a.m. in Gypsum, Colorado. After a briefing, teams usually require a period of transition with the previous organization before they actually assume command.
It is not common to order both types of teams at the same time. Usually there is a progression from one to the other if a fire increases in size and complexity. This most likely indicates that the extreme fire behavior seen on the Grizzly Creek Fire and perhaps its proximity to structures led fire managers to believe it has the potential to become a very significant, complex incident.
The Colorado Department of Transportation announced that Interstate 70 will remain closed through Monday night.
When the fire started Monday afternoon a nearby weather station recorded a high temperature of 93 degrees, single-digit relative humidity, and 5 to 16 mph winds out of the southwest gusting at 20 to 30 mph — conditions very conducive to rapid fire spread.
Grizzly Creek Fire, August 10, 2020. IMT photo.
A spot weather forecast for the fire predicts for Monday night a maximum humidity of 37 to 42 percent and west winds 5 to 10 mph through 9 p.m., then becoming downslope/downvalley 3 to 6 mph overnight. For Tuesday, 90 degrees, 5 to 10 percent humidity, and downslope/downvalley 3 to 6 mph winds through mid-morning shifting to come out of the west at 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 20 mph in the afternoon.
August 10, 2020 | 6:52 p.m. MDT
Map showing heat detected on the Grizzly Creek Fire by a satellite at 2:18 p.m. MDT August 10, 2020. The locations are approximate.
A new wildfire in Colorado has forced the closure of Interstate 70. The Grizzly Creek Fire was reported in the early afternoon Monday. At 3 p.m. firefighting aircraft either on scene or en route included two Very Large Air Tanker (DC-10s), five large air tankers, five helicopters, and two Single Engine Air Tankers.
Grizzly Creek Fire near Glenwood Springs, CO at 1:38 p.m. August 10, by Nathan Krause with Whitewater Rafting.
At 5 p.m. MDT the Rocky Mountain Coordination Centers said it had burned approximately 1,400 acres.
Some of the air tankers were reloading with retardant at a temporary portable air tanker base at the Colorado Springs Airport. A permanent base is slated for development at the airport which should be in service in 2021.
We will update this article as more information becomes available.
