CDOT Special Message: The Colorado Department of Transportation reopened US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass this morning at 6:00 am. If fire activity warrants, the highway could be re-closed, so travelers are urged to check road conditions at www.cotrip.org for updated road information.
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For those curious about the global warming, bark beetle, forest fire connection please see:
"The Changing Face Of Our Forests - bark beetle and global warming"
and
"A citizen's review of the 'San Juan Bark Beetles and Watersheds Workshop'"
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http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=81485
Thick smoke billows across the landscape in these digital photographs of the western United States. Both photographs were taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on June 19, 2013.
The images show a plume wafting from the West Fork Complex fire, which was burning explosively in southwestern Colorado near Pagosa Springs. To the northwest, a smaller plume from the Wild Rose fire is also visible (upper image).
While the Wild Rose blaze was fully contained by June 25, 2013, the West Fork Complex was still raging through the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests. The West Fork Complex is a combination of three fires: the West Fork fire, the Windy Pass fire, and the Papoose fire. Lightning ignited the first of the blazes on June 5, 2013, and together they had charred approximately 75,000 acres (30,000 hectares) by June 25. The fires were burning in rugged terrain with large amounts of beetle-killed spruce forests.
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SAN JUAN NATIONAL FOREST FIRE RESTRICTION NOTICE
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~As of July 2nd, fire restrictions are in place for the entire San Juan National Forest. U.S. Forest Service regulations at lower elevations are more restrictive than those at higher elevations.
For more information, please go to: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
East Zone of the West Fork Complex (Includes Papoose and Eastern Part of West Fork Fires)Papoose Fire: Very little precipitation was received on the fire. Fire behavior is still expected to be extreme, especially with the forecast for continued threat of thunderstorms that include gusty winds. Today’s highest priority is to focus on the northwest side of the fire by securing fireline near Crooked Creek down to Rio Grande Reservoir, keeping the fire east of Squaw Creek. Firefighters will use water or retardant drops to support construction of new line. On the southeast flank, the fire is expected to increase in activity this afternoon in the Trout Creek drainage. Firefighters will reinforce structure protection at Spar City and Red Mountain Ranch. Along Highway 149, firefighters will mop up adjacent to structures.
Eastern Part of West Fork Fire: Yesterday, the north part of the fire reported 0.20 inches of precipitation received. Firefighters will take advantage of the precipitation by securing line at Lake Humphreys and in the Elk Mountain area. Firefighters will continue direct attack on that piece of fire line with the aid of water or retardant drops. Along Highway 160, firefighters continued to secure the fire’s edge. Protection has been established around structures east of Highway 149.
West Zone of West Fork Complex (Includes Western Part of West Fork and Windy Pass Fires)West Fork Spike Camp that had been established to support the firefighting activities will be closed down today. All personnel and equipment will be transferred to the Incident Base at Stevens Airfield in Pagosa Springs. Please be cautious with the increased traffic, especially with increased traffic as visitors start to arrive for the 4th of July festivities.
Western Part of West Fork Fire/Windy Pass: The West Zone of theWest Fork fire is the portion of the fire burning south of the continental divide. Structure protection is still in place for Wolf Creek Ski Area, Borns Lake Cabins, and Bruce Spruce Resort, which is still open, and hose lays and sprinkler systems are in place and operational in the West Fork Campground that is also open. Crews started to backhaul the excess firefighting equipment at Borns Lake, Bruce Spruce and Wolf Creek. Activity on the Windy Pass Fire yesterday was minimal. A resource advisor was on the fireline yesterday to assess the landscape and to begin developing a rehabilitation plan.Weather: Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop today with moderate to heavy rainfall possible and associated gusty winds. A potential for ash flow and mudslides still exists, as well as potential for tree blow down from high winds and helicopter activity. Starting Tuesday, each day of the week is expected to become warmer and drier, with a chance of isolated thunderstorms.
July 1, 2013 | 10:30 am | Special Message:
In light of the sad news associated with the loss of 19 members of our firefighting family from Granite Mountain Hot Shots on the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, the morning update was delayed because of a two hour stand down issued by Incident Commander Pete Blume. The stand down was a safety precaution provided to firefighters to debrief the situation and honor those firefighters lost on the Yarnell Hill Fire. Out of respect for our colleagues on the Yarnell Hill Fire and Prescott Fire Department, the West Fork Complex will not issue any further statements in regards to the Yarnell Hill Fire.
In light of the sad news associated with the loss of 19 members of our firefighting family from Granite Mountain Hot Shots on the Yarnell Hill Fire in Arizona, the morning update was delayed because of a two hour stand down issued by Incident Commander Pete Blume. The stand down was a safety precaution provided to firefighters to debrief the situation and honor those firefighters lost on the Yarnell Hill Fire. Out of respect for our colleagues on the Yarnell Hill Fire and Prescott Fire Department, the West Fork Complex will not issue any further statements in regards to the Yarnell Hill Fire.
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West Fork Complex Fire Update - Saturday June 29, 2013 - 8:00 am
Special Message: The Colorado Department of Transportation reopened US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass this morning at 6:00 am. If fire activity warrants, the highway could be re-closed, so travelers are urged to check road conditions at www.cotrip.org for updated road information.
Current Situation:
West Zone of West Fork Complex (Includes Western Part of West Fork and Windy Pass Fires)
A change in wind direction and an inversion yesterday brought heavy smoke into the San Juan River Valley and Pagosa Springs area. The inversion held the smoke, and high winds and smoky conditions that persisted throughout the day. Fire continues to burn in timber that is dead due to Spruce Beetle kill.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has installed a portable tower at the Durango Airport due to the volume of aircraft flying in the area in support of the fires.
Western Part of West Fork Fire: The West Zone of the West Fork fire is the portion of the fire burning south of the continental divide. Structure protection continued near the Born Lake cabins. Structure protection is still in place for Bruce Spruce Resort, which is still open, and hose lays and sprinkler system are in place and operational in the West Fork Campground that is also open.
Windy Pass Fire: Activity on the Windy Pass Fire yesterday was minimal. Crews worked around Lane Creek and bucket drops were done throughout the day.
Weather: High pressure will move farther to the west allowing stronger winds from the northwest to move over the complex. Thunderstorm chances continue across the complex with lightning, gusty winds, and rain possible. An unstable atmosphere will continue through the middle of next week keeping the chance of thunderstorms in the forecast.
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Thursday, June 27, 2013 9:00 AM
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West Zone of West Fork Complex (Includes Western Part of West Fork and Windy Pass Fires)
Western Part of West Fork Fire: The West Zone of the West Fork fire is the portion of the fire burning south of the continental divide. Yesterday firefighters used helicopters with water buckets to squelch spots above Borns Lake. There continues to be isolated fires in that area that are resistant to suppression efforts because of the beetle killed spruce and the extreme rugged and steep terrain. Crews today will be doing some light thinning of vegetation around the Bruce Spruce Resort.
Windy Pass Fire: Activity on the Windy Pass Fire yesterday was minimal. The fire grew 25 acres from1,350 to 1,375 acres this morning. Firefighters expect to tie off the contingency line along the west side and around to the north end of the fire. They are taking advantage of natural features such as aspen stands, meadows, rock slopes and existing road and trails. With the decrease in wind intensity the immediate threat to Wolf Creek Ski Area has diminished.
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Courtesy of the Archuleta County Emergency Information
West Fork Fire Complex Update June 25, 2013 9:00 AM
West Zone of West Fork Complex (Includes Western Part of West Fork and Windy Pass Fires)
Western Part of West Fork Fire: The West Zone of the West Fork fire is the portion of the fire burning south of the continental divide. There continues to be moderate fire activity on the south flank of the fire above Borns Lake and farther to the west. Firefighters will complete installing and testing a sprinkler system to protect Bruce Spruce Resort and other structures along West Fork Road today. Structure protection for Borns Lake remains in place.
Windy Pass Fire: The Windy Pass Fire had some active burning on the west flank of the fire in beetle kill yesterday and went from 1,244 acres yesterday to 1,355 acres by this morning. With winds expected to come from the west today, firefighters are hoping to be able to use retardant drops to slow or stop the progression of the fire into Waterfall Creek. Crews will continue to work on contingency lines protecting the Wolf Creek Ski Area and monitor the contingency line on the south end along East Fork Road.
Weather: Yesterday wind gusts as high as 62 mph were recorded above Wolf Creek Pass. High pressure building today will slightly reduce wind speeds and shift wind direction. Winds are predicted to shift to the west/ southwest at 10-20 mph with gusting to 30 mph. Relative Humidity will continue to be 11-16 percent. The Haines Index has been reduced to 5 for today. This indicates there is moderate potential for extreme fire behavior, intensity, and growth. Given the warm temperatures, low humidities and extremely dry fuels it remains a heads up day for fire behavior.
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West Fork Fire makes run up Sheep Mountain
Photograph by Steve Till | Saturday, June 22, 2013
Monday: Woke up to overcast skies this morning. That should help take a little pressure off the fire crews.
Here's the latest update from the Archuleta County Emergency Information center:
West Fork Fire West Update -- June 23, 2013, 8:00 PM
This is the 5th day in a row that the fire area has been under a RED FLAG warning and a Red Flag warning has been issued for tomorrow. This evening the size of the entire complex is 76,000 acres.
West Zone West Fork Fire: The West Zone of the West Fork fire is the portion of the fire burning south of the continental divide. The segment on the south end of the fire that made a run up the backside of Sheep Mountain yesterday turned north today burning back towards the main body of the fire reducing the threat to Highway 160. Firefighters did a structure protection assessment in the Bruce Spruce Campground along West Fork Road today and are looking at establishing a sprinkler system to protect the structures in that area tomorrow.
Windy Pass Fire: The Windy Pass Fire made a run up the Lane Creek drainage into the alpine. It did not cross over into the Wolf Creek Ski Area. Firefighters have been able to hold the Windy Pass Fire within the established indirect containment lines protecting the Wolf Creek Ski Area.
For more information:
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