Single Publication

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team One, Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Weather: The High Park Incident Meteorologist has issued a Red Flag warning for the fire area today. Weather will be increasingly cloudy over the course of the day, with a chance of isolated afternoon thunderstorms that could bring gusty, erratic winds, but little chance of rain. Sustained winds will be out of the south-southwest at 10 – 15 mph, with gusts to 30 mph. Humidity will be around 15 percent.

Current Situation:

The fire has grown to 1,558 acres based on last night’s infrared flyover. The fire is 27 percent contained around the north and west sides of the fire perimeter. Air operations have been active with helicopters running dip and drop cycles every three minutes, delivering water over areas of heat, primarily in the southern end of the fire. Retardant has been effective in holding the advancing flame front ahead of crews digging firelines. Four loads of retardant were applied yesterday. Fuels are critically dry, and the fire wants to grow in any direction, following slope, wind, and fuels.

In Divisions A and M, crews will continue to build on past work securing the fire’s edge. Crews will progress southward scouting for opportunities to connect current dozer and hand lines to Fourmile Creek. The structure group will be in Division Z, securing remaining pockets of heat and ensuring structures are prepared in case fire advances in that direction. Crews will construct line from Lakemoor Drive down to Rattlesnake Gulch, in preparation for eventual burnout operations. A new Division T will be staffed with overhead who will identify contingencies for containment in case current efforts are unsuccessful.

Three Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopters and one air attack platform will continue to support the firefighting effort with aerial observation and bucket drops. Air tankers are available, if needed, but are not assigned to High Park Fire.

Evacuations and Fire Restrictions: Please visit the Teller County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for up-to-date information on restrictions, evacuations, and closures; an interactive map is available at http://tiny.cc/HighParkFire2022_TellerCo.

Teller County is under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Sign up for emergency alerts at www.peakalerts.org. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands across the Royal Gorge Field Office. Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xuFcR.

Special Note: The High Park Fire is located approximately 25 miles north of the Canon City wild horse holding facility. There is no threat from the fire to the wild horses.