Incident Media Photographs
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A view from the perimeter of the Spruce Creek Fire. Interior pockets of ground fuels continue to burn, following a multi-day burnout operation.
Firefighters Conor Lynch and Garrett Utsler watch for hotspots and any other threats to the fireline on the Spruce Creek Fire. Both are members of the San Juan Hotshots.
![Three firefighters surround a drone with thick smoke in the background](https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_2600x2600/public/2024-05/IMG_9448.jpg?VersionId=nvdiRvi1iIQWueMIqRNEBt95bRMUayLM&itok=sX0xw-R4)
An Unmanned Aerial System (drone) is loaded with plastic spheres that will be dropped into unburned fuels for ignitions.
![Two firefighters prepare the drone with thick smoke in the trees around them](https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_2600x2600/public/2024-05/IMG_9451.jpg?VersionId=rfAP5EhuZNcW0UkH6fzSPn6aiKnRdyKK&itok=j3wnbRn9)
Firefighters prepare the Unmanned Aerial System for flight.
![Firefighter standing with tool over shoulder watching fire](https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_2600x2600/public/2024-05/IMG_9428.jpg?VersionId=Giquj8_LrNoqje7itPaBbXp99aLP38BG&itok=MO-rzOK9)
Firefighter monitors the fire
![Firefighter with orange hard hat walks down the road with smoke in the background](https://inciweb-prod-media-bucket.s3.us-gov-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/styles/max_2600x2600/public/2024-05/IMG_9459.jpg?VersionId=Y0NSCL0RiYDBuclM7kPLGxmqikADuoT_&itok=u8ZPZ61i)
Firefighter patrols the fireline
A member of the Roosevelt Interagency Hotshot Crew uses a drip torch to add depth along part of a perimeter line on the Spruce Creek Fire.
Whenever firefighters use drip torches to improve a fireline, some of them are designated to "watch the green." They scan the unburned part of the forest away from the fire to look for embers that may float over the fire line. This can be especially important when, as in this case, the forest includes spruce trees, which are notorious for throwing lots of embers.
Two member of the Roosevelt Interagency Hotshot Crew use hand tools to improve a perimeter line on May 19, 2024.
A member of the Roosevelt Interagency Hotshot Crew on the Spruce Creek Fire on May 19, 2024. The crew, from the Arapahoe NF in Colorado, helped secure the a portion of the perimeter by "burning out" along a fence line.
Firefighters carefully create a buffer of burned fuel along the northern perimeter of the Spruce Creek FIre.
This photo shows why spring on the San Juan National Forest often presents a great time to allow natural fire to burn on the land. The dead log on the ground and the grass and forest litter around it are being consumed but the Ponderosa Pine tree shown is not burning. It's "fuel moisture content" is high - meaning the tree and needles have lots of water in them. The needles on the lowest branch will turn brown and fall off but that will help protect the tree if there is a wildfire here. Higher branches on the pine and less fuel on the ground mean a surface fire will have trouble climbing this tree. If the fire stays out of the tree canopy, the tree will usually survive.