We went from one of the lowest weeks of the summer, as far as wildfires, last week (10) to one of the busiest this week, in which there are 19 active fires.
The Quartz Ridge Fire on the San Juan National Forest was reported on August 5th. The lightning started fire is located approximately three miles into the South San Juan Wilderness, 11 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Firefighters are unable to directly engage the fire due to fire behavior, the remote location, and firefighter risk associated with the terrain and working in dead and down trees. Fire managers developed a strategic plan to suppress the fire should it move into terrain more favorable to engagement. Monsoonal moisture, cloud cover, cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity slowed the fire’s growth, but the fire continues to smolder and creep.
Forty personnel are fighting the fire which has consumed 2,850 acres. Containment is hoped for by October 31. There is a minimal to low chance the fire will grow larger.
The Lowline Fire continues to be the second largest fire in the state at 1,999 acres burned. The fire is 11.6 miles SSW of Crested Butte and has not spread since last week.
The Lowline Fire is a wildfire that was started by lightning on July 26, 2023. It is burning in an area with a lot of dead and dry fuel, mostly spruce trees that have been killed by beetles. It is 54% contained and is expected to continue burning until the first snowfall. The fire is moving westward into the wilderness area and is not a threat to the towns of Crested Butte or Gunnison. However, smoke from the fire may impact the air quality and visibility in the region.
The Bear Creek Fire continues to be the 3rd largest fire in Colorado. It started on July 28 in the San Juan National Forest approximately 21 miles NW of Pagosa Springs. The fire was caused by lightning. As many as 80 firefighters have worked on containment of the fire.
As of September 16th, the fire burned 1,090 acres and is currently 83% contained. The fire has not grown in the last week.
The Devil’s Thumb Fire has burned 81 acres, 4.6 miles NE of Winter Park. It began on July 4 and is listed as active but contained.
A maximum of 125 firefighters were involved with the fire.
Also contained but considered active is the Elgin Fire which burned 75 acres, 14.4 miles SW of Craig. It began on September 23. The number of firefighters was not specified.
