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.

Current Situation: Lowline fire is currently 54% contained and 1776 acres. Today, work will be similar to yesterday’s by continuing to seek out remaining heat and hot spots along uncontained firelines. Work will also include improving fireline security through felling of snags and removing other hazards that can cause the fire to spread outside of the current perimeter. On contained firelines, patrol and mop up will continue. If weather and fuel conditions allow, burnout operations may occur to reduce fuel loads in the interior or to add depth to firelines. By removing burnable fuels or fuels that would support fire spread, fire intensity potential is reduced.   

Last night was the final shift for nighttime operations to monitor and patrol. Over the next few days, some firefighting resources will be released, allowing them to either be reassigned to other wildfires or take time off for rest and recuperation in preparation for their next assignment.  Throughout the fire season, firefighters and support personnel typically work up to 14 days continuously, are returned home for several days off, and then begin a new 14-day assignment. 

Division A: Connecting contained fireline with the division break will be today’s priority. A burning operation may occur in this section of line and extend into Division W. In some areas across both divisions, the main fire burned “patchy” leaving burned and unburned vegetation intermixed. Patrols and mop up will occur throughout the rest of the division.  Mop up is important ensuring containment lines are not compromised from lingering heat sources not currently detected that can ignite at a later point in time.

Division Z:  Firefighters will monitor and patrol contained firelines. 

Division Y: Firefighters will continue to strengthen and secure firelines with the intention of achieving containment in this division. Additional scouting will occur for potential development of additional contingency fireline off the ridge to connect the existing primary and secondary lines.   

Division X: In conjunction with information obtained from scouting, fire managers will use predictive modeling to support decision options in this division. The area is remote and composed of rough terrain and varying fuels, presenting heightened risks to firefighers. This division remains unstaffed for now. 

Division W: Firefighters will assess fuel moistures to determine if a burning operation will be successful at removing unburned fuels close to the fireline.

Structure Protection: Firefighters have completed 125 structure assessments. These efforts will be ongoing for all homes in proximity to the fire.   

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Weather conditions are expected to be warm and dry with light winds and possible afternoon gusts. There is a small chance of afternoon thunderstorms with precipitation predicted at 20% Temperatures will be in the mid-70s, humidity around 30%, and winds at 5-10 mph with gusts up to 25mph. Weather conditions are accelerating fuel moisture depletion resulting in increased likelihood of burning in the fire’s interior especially in mixed conifers and dead and down materials. The potential for spread outside containment lines remains low.     

A fire weather watch is forecasted for Sunday, which means an increased risk of fire danger due to strong winds, low humidities, and warm temperatures. 

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 may sign up to receive emergency alerts on your phones or other devices at: https://bit.ly/3QhZVZg .

An area, road, and trail closure has been implemented on National Forest System lands near the fire area. For specifics see this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126172.pdf . BLM has implemented a temporary closure  in the fire vicinity. For details see this link: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district . County Roads in the fire vicinity are barricaded. In the interest of public safety, fire officials ask visitors to be aware of fire traffic and avoid the area.

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/ .

Daily Smoke Outlook reports can be found at this link: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240 .

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: 1776 acres
Containment: 54%
Total Personnel: 393
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