Official Thread for all 2021 Colorado Fire Season Topics (Montrose, Craig: gated, camping)

[brightdoglover]

Originally Posted by jim9251

Red Flag Fire Warning High Wind Warning...UGH. NWS released its long range summer outlook - hotter and drier than normal DOUBLE UGH!

And "normal" is nothing to look forward to... Every time I hear a siren, I look outside for smoke.

[jim9251]

Critical fire weather conditions are expected to return for the weekend and into next week. Mostly dry, warm, and breezy
conditions are expected to prevail into next week.

UGH!

[DOUBLE H]

Mesa County hasn't seen a 90 degree day yet this year but it will, most likely tomorrow. And will stay that way for the next three months. From time to time over the last weeks the wind has been manageable. But conditions are worrisome, damn worrisome. Saturday's 5 p.m. NBC News had a two minute seg on the drought, zeroing in on the four corners states.

[DOUBLE H]

First sizable fire on the western slope (I believe) and I'm certain plenty more will follow as the temperature will hit 100 degrees in Mesa County by Friday and stay there a few days. winds were at a fairly steady 15 m.p.h. yesterday afternoon.

The Dragon fire is up to 300 acres and is located south of Rangely. Authorities believe it to be lightning caused.

Also the GJ fire department handled a 5 acre fire just off the interstate yesterday afternoon, I drove right past it as they were fighting it. Saved a few newer homes that were close by.

[DOUBLE H]

The air in Mesa County is getting smokier by the day. One reason for this is an ongoing fire near Moab. Called the Pack Creek Fire, it's at 420 acres. A housing development called the Pack Creek Community is evacuating all the residents in it. The cause? An unattended campfire according to Utah fire officials.


The other reason is more concerning, much more. Three fires maybe an hour northeast of Phoenix are only at 20% containment. The towns that are on U.S. 60 that are looking down the gun barrel is Globe, Superior, Claypool, and Miami (yes there is a Miami in Arizona.) Dealing with an ungodly drought is bad enough, this situation is nasty and getting worse by the day. GJ television reports 23% containment and 145,000 acres burned. Don't know about fatalities, for now anyway. High winds for the last few days are blowing Mesa counties way.

[DOUBLE H]

Temperature in Grand Junction and Fruita were 102 today. Will be 105 plus for all of this week, then it cools down to 95 with a front coming through that might bring cooler temperatures and dry lightning. And dry lightning is the last thing Mesa County needs.

[jim9251]

USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest
·
NEWS RELEASE: Stage I fire restrictions go into effect on the #SanJuanNF at 12:01am on June 16th. Southwest Colorado is in extreme drought with continued hot, dry weather in the forecast, creating a critical fire environment.
Activities prohibited under Stage I restrictions include igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire (even with charcoal) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed at its developed recreation sites. The minimum fine for this violation is now $500.
See the full Stage I order and all prohibited activities here: https://tinyurl.com/pm5nhmyv
See the full news release here: https://tinyurl.com/8fxvw29v

[brightdoglover]

Yes, of course. I hope the fine crashes onto anyone who violates the order.

[jim9251]

BLM implements Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Tres Rios and Uncompahgre Field Offices June 17
DOLORES, Colo. – Stage 1 fire restrictions begin June 17 for all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands administered by the Tres Rios and Uncompahgre Field Offices within the boundaries of Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, portions of Gunnison County, La Plata, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, including Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, and the Uncompahgre Field Office side of Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area. The restrictions align with local orders and guidelines to protect the public’s safety during high fire danger.
Under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:
• Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure – fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable)
• No fires of any type, including charcoal, outside of developed areas.
• No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or in a barren area free of vegetation
• No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
• No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except an area that has been cleared of vegetation.
• No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark-arresting device properly installed and in working order.
Stage 1 fire restrictions on these lands will become effective at 12:01 a.m., MDT, June 17th, 2021 and will be in place until further notice. Violation of federal fire restrictions is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 12 months or both. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildfires will also face restitution costs of suppressing the fire.
Fireworks are always prohibited on public lands. More information about fire prevention is available at: https://www.blm.gov/.../fire.../get-...ire-prevention. #KnowBeforeYouGo
Bureau of Land Management - Colorado GMUG Fire Information USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest #KnowBeforeYouGo

[parfleche]

Well we just got our first fire in the four corner east of Durango.They jumped all over it air tankers and ground crews. 75% contained gonna be a long summer. Hope the july monsoons show up.