VIDEO/PHOTOS: At least five new wildfires ignited along Colorado’s Western Slope over the weekend, bringing the total number of wildfires burning across state and federal lands to nine. Nearly 32,000 acres of land have burned in separate wildfires in Delta, Garfield, Mesa, Montrose, and Rio Blanco counties, as well as in parts of eastern Utah, aided by hot and dry conditions which are expected to persist this week. At least eight of the nine fires were sparked by lightning, according to fire officials.
Most of the Western Slope is under extreme or severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. No lives have been lost, but several structures, including national park infrastructure, have been damaged or destroyed. Gov. Jared Polis verbally declared a disaster declaration for several of these fires, which frees up state and federal resources.
Coulter Creek Fire
Size: 107 acres
Containment: 100%
First reported: August 3
Cause: Under investigation; lightning believed to be the likely cause
Location: Carbondale, Colo.
A day after evacuation orders in the Panorama Subdivision, the Ranch at Coulter Creek, and the area east of County Road 100 to Upper Cattle Creek Road were lifted following “aggressive firefighting” on the ground, fire officials said full containment had been reached in the Coulter Creek Fire. On Monday, fire crews built containment lines and mopped up the fire to make sure it was completely out. By the afternoon, after announcing the fire had been fully contained, fire officials said firefighters will continue to patrol the fire area over the next few days to watch for any remaining hot spots or flareups.
Deer Creek Fire
Size: 17,724 acres
Containment: 95%
First reported: July 10
Location: 1 mile north of Old La Sal
Nearly 600 firefighters are battling the Deer Creek Fire, which is primarily burning in eastern Utah, but has also extended into parts of Montrose County. Areas of San Juan County, Utah, and Montrose County are under an evacuation order. However, some residents who were previously evacuated are returning to their homes, as additional cloud cover and isolated rain showers provided firefighters with favorable conditions on Friday. In a Monday update, officials said crews on Sunday along the northern, western and southern side of the fire continued to monitor for new starts and check for smoke. Crews will continue monitoring for new starts and smoke due to increased fire weather.
Elk Fire
Size: 3,000 acres
Containment: 0%
First reported: August 2
Location: 11 miles east of Meeker, off Rio Blanco County Road 8
The Elk Fire remains active and continues to burn in pinyon, juniper and oak brush fuels across private land, state land (Colorado Division of Wildland), and Bureau of Land Management land, according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. In a Monday update, deputies said one home and four outbuilding have been destroyed by the lightning-caused fire, which remained active overnight. The blaze, however, did not experience any significant growth or make any notable runs, deputies said.
Grease Fire
Size: 1,000 acres
Containment: 0%
First reported: August 3
Location: 12 miles west of Meeker, Colo., in the upper end of Rio Blanco County Road 22.
The Grease is burning in pinyon, juniper, grass and brush fuels on both state and Bureau of Land Management lands (BLM) managed by the White River Field Office, according to the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office. Due to dry fuels, warm temperatures and gusty winds, the fire is continuing to spread rapidly, with oil and gas infrastructure as well as power infrastructure at risk, according to BLM officials.
Lee Fire
Size: 700 acres
Contained: 0%
First reported: August 2
Location: 20 miles southwest of Meeker, Colo.
The Lee Fire is burning on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management White River Field Office. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
Leroux Fire
Size: 700 acres
Contained: 0%
First reported: August 3
Location: Northwest of Hotchkiss in Delta County, Colo.
The Leroux Fire is currently burning near the area of Redlands Mesa and remained active and moving throughout the night, according to the Hotckiss Fire District. The blaze is currently threatening structures along 3100 Road. A Type 3 and Type 4 team has been ordered to help battle the flames, with a mutual aid task force involving three different fire departments assisting crews on the ground.
South Rim Fire
Size: 4,232 acres
Contained: 92%
First reported: July 10
Location: Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Firefighting activity is wrapping up on the South Rim Fire, which is now in a patrol and monitor status under the command of a Type 4 incident management team, according to fire officials on Monday, who added that fire activity remains isolated to interior pockets and inaccessible areas. In an update from over the weekend, fire officials said suppression repair work had been completed on Friday, and heavy equipment was released from the incident. Crews are demobilizing and traveling home to get a few days off before they are made available for other fires across the country.
Turner Gulch Fire
Size: 21,683 acres
Contained: 49%
First reported: July 10
Location: 8 miles northeast of Gateway, Colo.
The Turner Gulch Fire, burning off Highway 141 northeast of the town of Gateway in Mesa County, is the largest of the Colorado wildfires at nearly 22,000 acres. More than 400 firefighters are currently battling the blaze. No injuries have been reported, and no structures have been lost. In a Monday update, officials said the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 took over management of the Turner Gulch Fire and continues to prioritize a full suppression strategy.
Wright Draw Fire
Size: 466 acres
Contained: 92%
First reported: July 10
Location: 8 miles northeast of Gateway, Colo.
The 466-acre Wright Draw Fire is burning off Highway 141, northeast of the town of Gateway in Mesa County. No injuries have been reported, and no structures have been lost. In an update last Thursday, fire officials said fighters engaged and contained about three acres of fire that jumped over the existing fire containment line. Firefighters will continue to work on the ground as safely as they can with limited access. Helicopters and the Unaweep Wildland Fire Module will continue to fly over the fire to provide aerial suppression. Crews anticipate full containment in the next few days.
