Single Incident Information

The Little Mesa Fire on the Bureau of Land Management Southwest District, Uncompahgre Field Office was reported on July 31, 2023, at 10:42 am. It is located approximately 12 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO within the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area.

This fire is being managed with a confine and contain suppression strategy that provides for firefighter and public safety. Confine and contain strategy mean's that firefighters will work to keep fire to certain areas, primarily using natural barriers that are expected to restrict fire spread under prevailing and forecasted weather conditions. Natural barriers can be large areas of rock, dirt, sand, water sources, existing roads, and trails. Indirect line construction by hand line, mechanical can be used in the event fire activity increases and threatens values at risk. Check out this YouTube video that explains how confine & contain strategy was determined and used  https://youtu.be/QfTz-5SCcmk?si=1dxYurMNz_IfHaat Video can also be found at the bottom of page in related links. 

A Type 3 organization assumed command of the fire on August 9, 2023, at 6 a.m.

A Type 4 Incident Commander assumed management responsibility on Friday, August 18, 2023, at 7 a.m.

The Little Mesa Fire reached 100% containment on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. 

The smoke will be visible from surrounding areas and Highways 50, 550, 92, 65 and 141 as the interior continues to smolder. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality to get updated smoke conditions in North America. 

Aircraft may be used over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!