Air Park Fire Update — July 25, 5:00 Pm

Incident: Air Park Wildfire
Released: 6 hrs. ago

Durango Interagency Dispatch Center

San Juan National Forest · Bureau of Land Management · National Park Service

Colorado State Forest Service · Bureau of Indian Affairs

Air Park Fire Update -July 25, 5:00 PM

Firefighters continued to make good progress on building and securing fire line today on the Air Park Fire and the fire is now 85% contained. The line remaining to be built is located on the east flank in the vicinity of Pine Canyon. Helicopters assisted with water drops on hot spots in the steep, rugged terrain that was difficult for firefighters to access. The fire area received minimal rain on Tuesday.

A GPS of the fire this morning showed a slightly different perimeter than yesterday but the acreage remains the same. A map of the fire perimeter can be found at www.inciweb.org. A fire is considered contained when firefighters believe there is no chance of the fire moving beyond the fire perimeter. The estimated date for full containment has been bumped back to July 28 at 7:00 PM.

All resources except for two 20-person hotshot crews, a safety officer, a finance person and aircraft personnel were released or reassigned today. The Type 3Team will transition management of the fire back to the Southern Ute Agency at 5:00 PM.

There have been no injuries or accidents. The estimated cost to date is $576,000.

***

DurangoInteragency Dispatch Center

San Juan National Forest · Bureau of Land Management · National Park Service

Colorado State Forest Service · Bureau of Indian Affairs

 

Air Park Fire Update – July 24, 7:00 PM

Firefighters made good progress on the Air Park Fire today. There was no additional growth and the fire is now 75% contained. Crews were able to build fire line along the eastern flank of the fire and complete mop-up on the western flank of the fire. Helicopters assisted with water drops on hot spots in the steep, rugged terrain that was difficult for firefighters to access. A few interior pockets of unburned fuel continue to burn out.

Many resources including engines and dozers were released today. Additional personnel will be released Wednesday.

Two hotshot crews and a safety officer will continue with mop-up and securing the containment lines tomorrow unless the area receives significant rain tonight. TheType 3 Team will transition management of the fire back to the Southern Ute Agency tomorrow at 5:00 PM.

There have been no injuries or accidents. The estimated cost to date is $225,000.

***

Air Park Fire Update -July 24, 9:00 AM

Late-day rainfall on Monday decreased fire activity across much of the Air Park Fire area. Firefighters came off the fire beginning around 6:00 PM due to the rain.Growth was very moderate yesterday and the fire is now 5% contained. The fire has burned 499 acres; 405 acres of Southern Ute land and 94 acres of Bureau of Reclamation land.

Firefighters conducted a firing operation Monday to test the conditions for a potential burnout. In doing so, they were able to secure the north end of the fire in thevicinity of the dam.

A reconnaissance of the fire area this morning showed virtually no smoke on the west and south sides of the fire. Air tankers dropped a lot of retardant inthese areas yesterday and then hand crews followed with line construction.

The large bowl on the east side of the fire is where fire managers had hoped to conduct a burnout. Due to yesterday’s precipitation, the burnout will not happen.Firefighters will be looking at building line in key areas to keep the fire from spreading eastward.

There were approximately 150 fire personnel on the fire Monday. Some fire personnel will be released today and some are being staged since the Rocky Mountain Region is experiencing numerous new fire starts. Three helicopters will be available today to assist firefighters with dropping water on hot spots as needed; there willnot be any air tankers.

There have been no injuries or accidents. Cost to date is $145,000.

***

Incident Overview

The Air Park Fire is burning on Southern Ute tribal lands (405 acres) and Bureau of Reclamation lands (94 acres) approximately 4 miles south of Durango. The fire, which was reported around noon on Sunday, July 22, was started by lightning that moved through the area Saturday night. The fire started SW of Animas Air Park and has moved northwest towards Lake Nighthorse. It is burning in pinyon and juniper, Gambel oak, grass, and other shrubs. Light precipitation occurred over the fire late Monday and Tuesday afternoons.

As of 9:30 PM on Monday, July 23, all pre-evacuation notices have been lifted.

All resources except for two hotshot crews, a safety officer, a finance officer, and aircraft personnerl have been reassigned or released. The Type 3 Team transitioned the fire back to the Southern Ute agency on Wed., July 25 at 5:00 PM.

 

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Lightning
Date of Origin Sunday July 22nd, 2012 approx. 11:48 AM
Location 4 miles south of Durango, CO
Incident Commander Chris Little

Current Situation

Total Personnel 55
Size 499 acres
Percent Contained 85%
Estimated Containment Date Saturday July 28th, 2012 approx. 07:00 PM
Fuels Involved Primarily pinyon and juniper, Gamberl oak, and shrubs
Fire Behavior Smoldering.
Significant Events Release of all resources but two hotshot crews, a safety office, finance officer, and aircraft personnel occurred today. Type 3 Team turned the fire back to the Southern Ute agency at 5:00 PM on July 25.

Outlook

Planned Actions Build line along east flank of fire. Mop-up on west and south sides. Helicopters dropped water on hot spots in rugged terrain. Continued releasing resources.
Growth Potential Low
Terrain Difficulty Extreme.

Current Weather

Temperature 88 degreesREPOST