Vallecito Fire Update Nov 4 2012
Incident: Vallecito Wildfire
Released: 11/4/2012
Vallecito Fire Update
November 03, 2012
The Vallecito Fire was reported on October 16 and is located west of Vallecito Reservoir and County Road 501 on the San Juan National Forest. The Reservoir is about 20 miles north of Bayfield, CO. The fire is believed to have been started by lightning that is still burning dead and down trees and occasional standing snags. The fire is burning within the perimeter of the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire. The terrain is steep and danger to Fire Fighters from falling trees has prompted Fire Officials not to attempt direct fire suppression tactics. Aircraft are still essential in helping to control the spread of this fire.
On the north side, dozers lines are in place from County Road (CR) 501 up to Freeman Park and from CR 501 behind Sawmill Point into lower Jack Creek drainage. Hotshot crews felled snags along this line to make it defensible. It was developed to help protect the homes on Hummingbird Lane and Ho Hum Drive, should the fire make a move northward. The fire is 25% contained.
The Durango Interagency Type 3 Team transitioned the fire back to the East Columbine Ranger District on Oct. 22.
Yesterday the Tushar Mountain Wildland Fire Module (a 10 person crew) and a Type 3 Incident Commander transitioned into this incident. Delaying and confinement tactics will be the strategy until a significant wet weather event occurs. Persistent dry weather is forecasted for the next couple of weeks.
Fire activity increased yesterday afternoon producing a 100 acre run up to the head of Jack Creek drainage crossing the Endlich Trail and is approaching the Weminuche Wilderness producing a vertical smoke column visible from the entire Pine River Valley. Minimal spotting was observed up to 200 feet.
There are no Values at risk to the North and West. The fire is still backing into other areas of Jack Creek with Private Land and homes within a mile. Holding plan utilizing a logging road is in place to minimize southern and eastern movement.
The Forest Service is recommending Forest visitors to avoid using the Endlich Trail at this time.
Vallecito Fire Update
November 03, 2012
The Vallecito Fire was reported on October 16 and is located west of Vallecito Reservoir and County Road 501 on the San Juan National Forest. The Reservoir is about 20 miles north of Bayfield, CO. The fire is believed to have been started by lightning that is still burning dead and down trees and occasional standing snags. The fire is burning within the perimeter of the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire. The terrain is steep and danger to Fire Fighters from falling trees has prompted Fire Officials not to attempt direct fire suppression tactics. Aircraft are still essential in helping to control the spread of this fire.
On the north side, dozers lines are in place from County Road (CR) 501 up to Freeman Park and from CR 501 behind Sawmill Point into lower Jack Creek drainage. Hotshot crews felled snags along this line to make it defensible. It was developed to help protect the homes on Hummingbird Lane and Ho Hum Drive, should the fire make a move northward. The fire is 25% contained.
The Durango Interagency Type 3 Team transitioned the fire back to the East Columbine Ranger District on Oct. 22.
Yesterday the Tushar Mountain Wildland Fire Module (a 10 person crew) and a Type 3 Incident Commander transitioned into this incident. Delaying and confinement tactics will be the strategy until a significant wet weather event occurs. Persistent dry weather is forecasted for the next couple of weeks.
Fire activity increased yesterday afternoon producing a 100 acre run up to the head of Jack Creek drainage crossing the Endlich Trail and is approaching the Weminuche Wilderness producing a vertical smoke column visible from the entire Pine River Valley. Minimal spotting was observed up to 200 feet.
There are no Values at risk to the North and West. The fire is still backing into other areas of Jack Creek with Private Land and homes within a mile. Holding plan utilizing a logging road is in place to minimize southern and eastern movement.
The Forest Service is recommending Forest visitors to avoid using the Endlich Trail at this time.
Vallecito Fire Update
November 03, 2012
The Vallecito Fire was reported on October 16 and is located west of Vallecito Reservoir and County Road 501 on the San Juan National Forest. The Reservoir is about 20 miles north of Bayfield, CO. The fire is believed to have been started by lightning that is still burning dead and down trees and occasional standing snags. The fire is burning within the perimeter of the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire. The terrain is steep and danger to Fire Fighters from falling trees has prompted Fire Officials not to attempt direct fire suppression tactics. Aircraft are still essential in helping to control the spread of this fire.
On the north side, dozers lines are in place from County Road (CR) 501 up to Freeman Park and from CR 501 behind Sawmill Point into lower Jack Creek drainage. Hotshot crews felled snags along this line to make it defensible. It was developed to help protect the homes on Hummingbird Lane and Ho Hum Drive, should the fire make a move northward. The fire is 25% contained.
Yesterday the Tushar Mountain Wildland Fire Module (a 7 person crew) and a Type 3 Incident Commander transitioned into this incident. Delaying and confinement tactics will be the strategy until a significant wet weather event occurs. Persistent dry weather is forecasted for the next couple of weeks.
Fire activity increased yesterday afternoon producing a 100 acre run up to the head of Jack Creek drainage crossing the Endlich Trail and has entered the Weminuche Wilderness producing a vertical smoke column visible from the entire Pine River Valley. Minimal spotting was observed up to 200 feet.
There are no Values at risk to the North and West. The fire is still backing into other areas of Jack Creek with Private Land and homes within a mile. Holding plan utilizing a logging road is in place to minimize southern and eastern movement.
The Forest Service has closed the Endlich Trail #534 at this time.
