Single Publication

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1
Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 970-648-4470 (public), 970-765-7123 (media)

Email: 2023.lowline@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Special Notes: We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of the community! Although, we appreciate offers of donations, our wildland fire crews are well equipped and cared for. A few suggestions in lieu of donations: 1) Please consider donating to the Gunnison Food Pantry (www.gunnisoncountryfoodpantry.org/donate/), 2) Donating to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation (www.wffoundation.org), or 3) Keeping our firefighters safe by creating defensible space around your home (learn how at www.firewise.org)!

Current Situation: This is a full suppression fire. The highest priority is for firefighter and public safety as firefighting resources work to minimize impacts to private homes and structures, powerline infrastructure, critical water infrastructure resources and other values at risk. The fire remained active this afternoon consuming fuels on the northwestern side of the fire. However, fire activity decreased across the south and east sides. The fire is currently 1% contained.

Division A: The fire burning in this area is heavily forested preventing firefighters from going direct along the fire edge. They worked building indirect fireline in preparation for a potential firing operation possibly as early as tomorrow to protect structures, ranchlands, and other values at risk.

Division W: The fire remained active this afternoon with smoke affecting air quality in areas east of the fire

Division Y: This is a new Division due to splitting up the large area between Divisions W and Z. Fire personnel are scouting this area with the intent to build indirect fireline along the ridge west of the fire perimeter.

Division Z: Firefighters made good progress today constructing fireline around spots outside the southeast perimeter and mopping up around structures. A night crew will remain to monitor the area overnight.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms are likely again tomorrow. Winds will decrease with gusts up to 20 mph. There is a chance for some precipitation but not enough to change current fuel moistures.

The primary fuels in the fire area are mixed conifer with a heavy dead and down component, as well as grass and shrubs.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

Mandatory evacuations are in place in the Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek drainages. For specific evacuation information, see Gunnison County Emergency Management at www.gunnisoncounty.org. You can sign up to receive emergency alerts on your phones or other devices at: https://bit.ly/3QhZVZg.

The Gunnison National Forest issued a Forest Closure order for the area around the Lowline. The public is asked to adhere to the closure for public health and safety of our fire personnel. You can download a copy of the order and map from the Forest website at https://bit.ly/43PTujc.

There are currently no fire restrictions in Gunnison County. Should restrictions be implemented, they will be posted at this site: https://westslopefireinfo.com/gunnison-county/.

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 798 acres
Containment: 1%
Total Personnel: 166
Location: 14 mi. NNW of Gunnison, CO
Reported: 8:00 am July 26, 2023
Cause: lightning

For More Information
Information Phone: 970-648-4470 (public), 970-765-7123 (media)
Email: 2023.lowline@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cogmf-lowline-fire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo