SALIDA — Special notes: Re-entry takes place today for remaining evacuees in Chaffee County.

When driving, please remain extra aware, extra cautious, and drive slowly to help keep firefighters safe.

Please note: access to formerly evacuated areas is limited to residents only.

BLM and Forest closures in this area remain in place. (Reminder: Bear Creek residents in Freemont County remain evacuated.) 

Recently burned areas are very dangerous and are filled with HAZARD TREES.

Fire burns into root systems and weakens trees that may fall unexpectedly.

Stump holes/ash pits may exist. Ash pits are deep holes in the ground filled with hot ash and embers and are often hard to see.

For your safety, please stay out of burned areas. 

Snow and single-digit temperatures are predicted to arrive toward the end of the week. Decker Fire Logistics teams are constructing yurts and acquiring generators, heaters, lights, and antifreeze for equipment.

Plans are in place for all firefighters and crew members to have warm, dry places to sleep.

We are incredibly grateful for the assistance of some local businesses and individuals in helping us acquire warm clothing to distribute to personnel.     

Weather: A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect from 12pm to 8pm as winds increase and conditions remain dry. Winds should be SW, turning W/SW later in the day, with sustained winds of 10-20 mph (20-25 mph on ridgetops) and gusts 25-30 mph (30-40 mph on ridgetops). Temps should be 54-58F, with humidities 15-20%. Some instability will be present in the afternoon with an isolated thunderstorm possible.

If a thunderstorm does form, microburst winds and dry lightning will be the primary threats. Cooler weather and chances for precipitation expected Thursday. Precipitation could begin as rain and later switch to snow. Accumulation is likely.

Current Situation: Yesterday, there was some active fire behavior on the west and east sides.

Residents in Howard experienced smoky conditions and may have seen flames during short periods of wind-driven group tree torching on the east.

There was a small amount of growth (less than 200 acres); however, the fire has not made significant progress eastward.

In the north on Division R yesterday, firefighters were flown onto Methodist Mountain to hike north on the ridgeline and assess whether the northwestern edge of the fire is a candidate for direct line.

It was determined this area is too hazardous and inaccessible for this kind of work.

This area is of minimal threat to any values and therefore will receive limited actions.

The dozer line to the west will remain the main control feature for this part of the fire.

Crews in Division R added additional containment to the northern fireline and mopped up along the rest of the contained areas.

In the northeast on Division T, firefighters completed the handline running from the Columbine Trail south along the Rainbow Trail. Crews on the east in Division W made good progress on contingency lines near Howard.

Fire mangers have been flying Division W, scouting for more options west of Howard. Wilderness terrain here is, however, unforgiving. There are no good natural features for control lines; options closer to the fire are proving to be limited.

In Division X on the south, crews improved fireline and removed brush and debris. Crews in both Divisions R and A are applying small amounts of fire to the ground, working to bring the main body of the fire down to control lines. Dozers in Division A completed the fireline leading to the top of Methodist Mountain.

Today’s fire behavior should be similar to yesterday’s, and residents may see increased smoke and possibly some flame. Smoke may settle into the town of Howard.

Crews in Division R will work to keep adding “containment” to the northern fireline. Firefighters in Division T will do the same at the bottom of the “arm,” and they will plumb the handline that runs north/south along the Rainbow Trail in preparation for firing operations in the coming days.

In Division W, firefighters will be working to complete and connect contingency lines. In Division X, crews are prepping contingency line and putting small amounts of fire on the ground to keep bringing the fire closer to control lines on their terms. Firefighters in Division A are doing similar work by slowly bringing fire down to control lines. Structure protection groups in Howard will prepare equipment (pumps, hoses, etc.) for the upcoming freezing weather.

Closures and Public Safety: There are road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County. Please respect closures. San Isabel Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/SanIsabelClosures. Rio Grande Forest closures: https://tinyurl.com/RioGrandeClosures. BLM closures: Facebook @BLMColoradFire and https://tinyurl.com/BLMCLosure.

For evacuation information, please contact the Chaffee County Sherriff’s Office: 719-539-2596, or Fremont County Emergency Management: 719-276-7416, 719-276-7418 or go to the Chaffee County Sheriff or Fremont County Sheriff Facebook pages and websites.