Single Publication

Lowline Fire Update
Friday, August 11, 2023 – 9:00 a.m.

Type 3 Incident Management
Bryan Gaines, 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 Note: The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forest, Gunnison Ranger District, has issued the
following update to road and trail closure order:
● The lands bordered on the northwest by the Mill-Castle Trail 450 from Storm Pass to the three-way junction of
Trails 450, 425, and 438; then bordered on the northeast edge by the Lowline Trail 438 to the top of Section 16
Township 15 South, Range 87 West 6th Principal Meridian.
● The northern boundary goes due east, following the top of Sections 16, 15, and 14 to the forest boundary
● The eastern boundary follows the forest boundary to National Forest System Road 727
● The south is bound by Road 727 and Trail 450 until it reaches Storm Pass.
● The Described Roads and Trails includes all roads and trails within the Described Area, including National Forest
System Trails (NFST) Low Line Trail 438 and Mill-Castle Trail 450.

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/gmug/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5395575 for more information and see
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1129908.pdf for the complete order and a detailed map.

Current Situation: Practice caution when entering fire-impacted areas. Damaged trees can fall unexpectedly. Pedestrians
can inadvertently step into stump holes and other areas where the ground has become unstable and root systems have
burned away. These areas can also hold residual heat and cause burns. Crews working the Lowline Fire continue
patrolling the northeastern area of the fire perimeter between Middle Creek and Mill Creek. Firefighters are also
monitoring the mountain ridge on the southwestern portion of the fire, between Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek and near
the West Elk Wilderness boundary. Crews are performing “mop-up” operations, which is the process of manually locating
and extinguishing any areas of residual heat which may threaten the lines in both areas.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Yesterday marked the beginning of a gradual transition to a more humid pattern as
monsoon moisture builds into the region. Abundant cumulus clouds may lead to isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon,
although wetting rain for the fire is unlikely. Westerly winds are expected over western portions of the fire and northwest
winds are predicted across the lower elevations. The trend toward increasing moisture will continue Friday and into the
weekend, with slight increases in precipitation chances each day. Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: A pre-evacuation order remains in effect for CR 727, Mill Creek. Noother evacuations or pre-evacuations are in place near the fire. For additional evacuation information, see Gunnison County Emergency Management at www.gunnisoncounty.org and sign up to receive emergency alerts at https://bit.ly/3QhZVZg.

National Forest closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1129908.pdf
BLM temporary closure: https://on.doi.gov/45lN2le
County Roads: In the interest of public safety, fire officials ask visitors to be aware of fire traffic and avoid the area.
Fire restrictions in Gunnison County: None
Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 1871 acres

Containment: 55%
Total Personnel: 141

Cause: lightning

Location: 14 mi. NNW of Gunnison, CO
Reported: 8:00 am July 26, 2023

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