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: Sunday’s Red Flag Warning provided a test of the firelines. Negligible perimeter growth occurred, although one small spot fire was detected and extinguished in Division A/Z. Despite gusty wind conditions, wind direction from the west was favorable blowing the fire in on itself. This also promoted burning in the interior green islands accounting for the minimal size increase. Due to windy conditions, and possibility of embers blowing outside firelines, crews surrounded the fire’s circumference, excluding Division X, to observe fire behavior, patrol the fire edge, and look for embers trying to establish spot fires outside of firelines. Today’s fire weather watch was elevated to a Red Flag Warning; actions will mirror yesterdays. 

Division A/Z: A small spot fire occurred in the northeastern corner where the fire protrudes inward between timber stringers. This area was lined and mopped up. Today, crews will be located along the length of the fireline observing the main fire and looking out for spot fires.         

Division Y: Crews observed an active area of fire well below the ridgetop’s indirect fireline. No concerns resulted. Work will reflect actions in Division A/Z, with firefighters spread throughout the line and in places with high visibility.  

Division X: No significant growth occurred yesterday. In order to reduce risks to firefighters, fire managers will implement a confinement strategy in this division. This means managing the fire perimeter through a combination of direct and indirect actions and using natural barriers, topographic features, and weather events to confine the fire to an acceptable footprint.

Division W: Firefighters will monitor and patrol again today. 

Structure Protection: Structure protection crews were dispersed throughout all communities surrounding the fire to ensure the security of residents and homes. These efforts will continue again tomorrow.    

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Nighttime humidity was about 50%, contributing to today’s continued low humidity in the mid-teens. Under the Red Flag Warning, winds will persist with gusts up to 40 mph. Temperatures will be in the upper 70s. Active fire behavior and increased visible smoke are expected again today as the fire burns available fuel in the interior.     

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

A pre-evacuation order is in effect for CR 727, Mill Creek. No other evacuations or pre-evacuations are in place near the fire.  For 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 .

National Forest area, road, and trail closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126172.pdf . BLM temporary closure: https://tinyurl.com/5n8s7xee .

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.

Fire restrictions in Gunnison County: none currently.

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

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 1830 acres
Containment: 55%
Total Personnel: 271
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