Wildland firefighters across Colorado used the wetter weather and cooler temperatures to their advantage this week.
Containment increased, municipalities lifted evacuation orders and the smoky haze blanketing the state was pushed north by southwestern winds.
Silver Creek fire
Scattered morning showers and the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms mean firefighters expect the Silver Creek fire to grow slowly, if at all, Sunday.
“Fire restoration work continues along the perimeter of the fire,” according to a press release. “Restoration includes the installation of water bars, removing hazard trees and chipping excess debris to reduce fuels and minimize erosion.”
Spring Creek fire
The Spring Creek fire, which has burned nearly 5,000 acres inside the Routt National Forest near the Gore Range, was 42 percent contained as of Sunday morning. That’s a significant increase from Monday when the fire was 10 percent contained.
The Grand County Sheriff is keeping the Latigo Ranch area, Old Park and Gore Lakes areas under a pre-evacuation notice. for the most recent evacuation information.
Bull Draw fire
Cloud cover, cooler temperatures and higher humidity created a recipe for success Saturday for firefighters combating the Bull Draw fire.“Crews were able to gain considerable containment on the Bull Draw fire yesterday, thanks to the hard work of firefighters and favorable weather,” according to a Sunday morning press release. “The fire remains at 30,208 acres and is now 54 percent contained.”
Sugarloaf fire
The Sugarloaf fire near the South Fork of Darling Creek, just south of Byers Peak Wilderness continues to burn.
“The area is rugged and steep, remote with no roads and no safety zones for firefighters,” according to a press release. “It is part of a mountain pine beetle epidemic that devastated lodgepole pine forests 20 years ago in various parts of the forest.”
Hundreds of dead trees are still standing and could fall suddenly and unexpectedly.
The fire, which started from a lightning strike, remains at 35 percent containment.
“Firefighting resources continue to camp out near the fire, monitoring, patrolling and testing pumps and hoses for structure protection purposes daily,” according to the release.
Wildfires in Colorado and the U.S.
The map shows active wildfire locations and all 2018 fire perimeters*. The map defaults to Colorado; to see all wildfires, click “U.S.” in the view area. Click the map layers icon in the top right corner of the map to change map backgrounds and to toggle active and contained fires, and perimeters. Click a marker or perimeter for details. To view the full map and a table of all 2018 wildfires, click here.
*Data comes from two sources, and , and could contain inconsistencies. Map by Kevin Hamm and Daniel J. Schneider.