Single Publication

Lowline Fire Update

Monday, August 14, 2023 – 9:00 a.m.

Type 3 Incident Management

Bryan Gaines, Incident Commander

Information Phone: GMUG Fire Information Hotline at (970) 874-6602

Special Announcements: On Wednesday, August 16, at 7 a.m., management of the Lowline Fire will be returned to the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests.

Information and media numbers created specifically for the Lowline Fire will be deactivated today. Moving forward, please call the GMUG Fire Information Hotline at (970) 874-6602 for active fire information in the area. For any other United States Forest Service (USFS) questions, please contact your local USFS District Office.

While smoke may be periodically visible in and around the fire area, air quality has improved and is no longer at concerning levels. Those still wishing to view the Smoke Outlook can find it here: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240

Current Situation: Firefighters maintain patrols along the fire perimeter on the north, east, and south edges of the fire. Current hotspots and smoking trees are limited and do not have the potential for significant spread. The fire has not experienced an increase in acreage in six days and remains at 55% containment.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Today will bring sunnier conditions as the pockets of moisture aloft push farther to the southeast. Chances of precipitation will be slightly lower than yesterday, and relative humidity will also decrease. Temperatures will be slightly warmer in the high 70s. Winds are expected to be light and variable, at 6-9 miles per hour with gusts around 17 mph. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/ for ongoing weather information from the National Weather Service.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions: A pre-evacuation order remains in effect for CR 727, Mill Creek. No other 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.

In the interest of public safety, fire officials ask visitors to be aware of fire traffic and avoid the area. County Roads 727 and 818 remain closed to the public and are for local traffic only. 

Closures remain on nearby USFS and BLM land:

For the National Forest closure visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1129908.pdf.

For the BLM closure visit https://on.doi.gov/45lN2le

There are currently no fire restrictions in Gunnison County.

Lowline Fire Statistics:

Size: 1871 acres         

Containment: 55%

Total Personnel: 130  

Cause: lightning

Location: 14 mi. NNW of Gunnison, CO

Reported: 8:00 am July 26, 2023

For More Information:

Information Phone: (970) 874-6602

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cogmf-lowline-fire

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo