UPDATE JULY 4, 10:30 AM
The Spring Creek Fire is now 37 percent contained. But with a red flag warning in effect until 9 tonight, officials are asking the public to remain vigilant so that resources won’t be diverted from fighting the blaze. Burning is not permitted on Red Flag Days around the listening area, and extreme caution should be used with cigarettes, dangling chains from trailers, or anything that can create sparks. This week marks the fifth anniversary of the Lake Christine fire, and Roaring Fork Fire Rescue continues to use their Severity Patrols to monitor weather conditions. The Aspen Daily News reports that several of those crew members are currently assisting with the Spring Creek Fire.
UPDATE JUNE 30, 10:00 AM
The Spring Creek Fire continues to grow, but at a minimal rate thanks to efforts by crews to remove fuel sources from areas near the fire. Temporary flight restrictions are in place for the airspace over the blaze and officials have reminded the public that those restrictions include drones, as the use of drones in the area actively hampers aerial operations.
A community meeting for those affected by the Spring Creek Fire or looking for more information will begin at 6 tonight and will be hosted online via the Spring Creek Fire Facebook Page, and in-person at the Grand Valley Fire Protection District building.
UPDATE JUNE 28, 5:00 PM
The Spring Creek Fire burning south of Parachute grew so much on Monday that a new management team is now in place to throw everything they’ve got at the blaze. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two took command of the nearly 3000-acre area Wednesday morning, and it’s now categorized as a full suppression strategy fire.
The fire started on Saturday and was contained at around 200 acres over the weekend before high winds drove explosive growth on Monday. Spring Creek is in an isolated area and no evacuations are in place, though the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service are enforcing closures on nearby public lands.
Temporary flight restrictions are in place in the airspace over the fire, and officials are reminding pilots of planes and drones that operations must be suspended when unauthorized aircraft enter the area.
Air quality throughout the listening area remains good today, though smoke could drain into lower elevation areas including Rifle and Silt this evening, and there could be smoke impacts along the I-70 corridor between Parachute and De Beque Thursday morning. A red flag warning is in place until 8 p.m. Wednesday night and again from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday.
Agencies are encouraging people to sign up with Garfield County emergency notification atGarCo911.com.
There are 363 personnel working the fire, which is 20 percent contained. Detailed information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cowrf-spring-creek-fire
UPDATE JUNE 27, 2:00 P.M.
In a Facebook video from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, Operations Section Chief Hugh Fairfield-Smith reviewed the work done today to address the fire's spread. North East section (Division M) is primary focus, is point between the fire and the Town of Parachute, as well as nearby oil and gas wells.
The Eastern section of the fire (Division P) is difficult for teams to traverse in, so for the moment more energy and resources are being expended in segments closer to homes and people.
Southern and Western (Divisions Z and A) portions of the fire are being addressed by crews moving gradually through the burn path, and over the entire wildfire teams are quelling the fire where they can along the edges to prevent spreading.
Aviation resources may be less-utilized during the day today, due to high winds.
Current Air Quality Readings [AQI] by Town:
Rifle: 42, Silt: 43, New Castle: 34
Glenwood Springs: 20-34, Carbondale: 26
Aspen: 22, Leadville: 27
—————————————————————————————————————————
UPDATE JUNE 27, 10:30 A.M.
Eight fire crews, 25 engines, a variety of aircraft, and over 300 team members are tending to the 3000 acre blaze. Officials have closed off Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road to the public, except for local traffic or fire personnel. Travelers have been advised to avoid the area entirely if possible.
If evacuations are called, those will be coordinated through the Garfield County Sheriff's office. Current evacuation information is available by calling: 970-981-3401
Wildfire smoke may impact air quality in towns around the Western Slope, although as of early Tuesday afternoon, air quality remained good.
Current Air Quality Readings [AQI] by Town:
Rifle: 35, Silt: 55, New Castle: 51
Glenwood Springs: 18-58, Carbondale: 34
Aspen: 33, Leadville: 30
—————————————————————————————————————————
The Spring Creek fire near Parachute popped up over the weekend, and crews had it contained to about 215 acres within a perimeter. However, due to conditions on Monday the conflagration has grown to more than 3000 acres. Winds have been moving towards the South and Southwest, and could cause the fire to spread in those directions or to move smoke towards other communities. The smoke plume can be seen from areas in Eagle County, or in other parts of Garfield County. Due to difficult terrain, the Bureau of Land Management has called in other agencies for assistance, including Forest Service hotshot crews and a Complex Incident Management Team.
There are no evacuations at this time, but fire agencies are encouraging people to sign up with Garfield County emergency notification atGarCo911.com. Wildfire smoke can be dangerous to a person's health, and air quality updates can be found at Fire.airnow.gov. More information on the evolving issue is available at theUpper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Facebook page.
