NEW! SIT REP 1: MONDAY, JUNE 26, 2023, 1815 HOURS PDT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A new wildfire named the Spring Creek Fire is burning about five miles southwest of Parachute (Garfield County), Colorado, which started on June 24, 2023, Saturday, at 1427 hours MDT.

It appeared after a long day of fire suppression efforts from the skies to the ground, firefighters had successfully reached a 20% containment status and held the fire to 200 acres. At this point on Day One, there was already an estimated cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment efforts which had reached a total of $750,000. (Day One)

However, Monday, June 26, 2023, has been another story. (Day Three)

This is the Spring Creek Fire.

(R) Photo Credit: Parachute Police Department

CURRENT STATUS

There are no threats to structures at this time.

There is no current number of acres or containment status known at this time.

RESOURCES

Incident Cooperators include:

  • Parachute Police Department
  • Grand Valley Fire Protection District
  • Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit
  • Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
  • Garfield County Sheriff’s Office
  • Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District
  • Colorado River Fire Rescue
  • De Beque Fire Protection District
  • Garfield County
  • White River National Forest (USFS)
  • NWS Pueblo
  • CDPHE Air Pollution
  • Colorado Emergency Management (State EOC)

Aircraft includes:

  • Air Attack
  • Single Lead plane
  • Air Tankers: 827, 838, 839, 857, 861, 862, 868, 882, 10, 15, 137.
  • Eight SEATS
  • Three LATS
  • Several helicopters

(L) Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit

FIRE INCIDENT TIMELINE

June 24, 2023, Saturday: A large wildfire ignites in the area of Battlement Mesa, approximately 200 acres in size with a 0% containment status. Multiple fire agencies with two SEATs and a large AT were hitting the fire from the skies with retardant drops. A Montrose Helitack was dropping water as well.

June 25, 2023, Sunday: On Sunday, it appeared to be under control and firefighters were going into a mop-up operational period but on Monday, according to Fire Officials, due to increased temps and winds, fire behavior became active again. This has caused the wildfire to be quite large and seen from various locations in the area.

(Below) Photo Credit: White River National Forest

June 26, 2023, Monday: RED FLAG WARNING conditions from Monday, June 26, 2023, 1000 hours through Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 2100 hours. Fire Officials have seen significant growth in the afternoon due to the hot and dry conditions, as well as increased winds producing a significant smoke column. Additional resources are en route. There are no current threats to structures.

ALERTS and ACTIVATIONS

Sign-Up for Emergency Alerts: http://www.Garco911.com

State Emergency Operations Center (EOC): Level 3

HISTORICAL WILDFIRES WITH THE SAME NAME

June-July 2018 – Spring Creek Fire (CO)

(L) Photo Credit: Platte Valley Fire Protection District (2018)

A wildfire by the same name broke out near the Mt. Maestas area on June 27, 2018, and would burn into the first few days of July 2018. The Colorado wildfire was said to have burned 94,093 acres (as of 7/4/2018) and destroyed 104 homes in the Forest Park area.

Fire conditions were reported to be generally the same as the 2023 wildfire: RED FLAG WARNING conditions, where temps were said to be in the mid-80s, low RH, and high winds.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog