Single Publication

Lowline Fire Update

Gunnison, Colorado, Sept, 21, 2023
 

Name: Lowline Fire

Location: 14 miles north-northeast of Gunnison, Colorado, 11 miles southwest of Crested Butte, Colorado. Located on a ridge at 9400 ft elevation between Squirrel and Mill Creeks, 3.5 miles west of County Road 730, Ohio Pass Road.

Size: 1999 Acres

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: USFS

Containment: 55%

The Lowline Fire continues to hold on the ridgeline between Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek drainages and along Middle Creek. Recent aerial mapping of the Lowline Fire indicates that the fire is now at 1999 acres, with some growth occurring along the western edge of the fire toward the wilderness area. Smoke continues to be visible from County Road 730 and Ohio Creek and will likely persist until the area receives a season-ending weather event. 

Firefighters continue to monitor fire activity and remain prepared to take action should fire activity change. Residents can expect structure protection infrastructure such as sprinkler systems, pumps and water storage tanks to remain in the area until a season-ending weather event occurs. 

The Lowline Fire is a long-duration wildfire event that is currently being administered under a “confine and contain” management strategy. Using this strategy, firefighters concentrate their fire suppression and containment efforts around the values at risk to the north, east and south of the Lowline Fire. On the western edge of this fire, the goal is to confine fire growth toward the wilderness boundary, where fire can be helpfully utilized toward forest health and future fire suppression needs. This management strategy is also a safer and more effective use of firefighting personnel, as the western area of the Lowline Fire presents a significant safety risk to firefighters due to heavy amounts of dead and downed trees. Firefighter and public safety remain our priorities. 

In the interest of public safety, area closures remain in effect and are expected to remain in place until a season-ending weather event occurs in the fire area. More information is located here. 

All evacuation notices have been lifted for the Lowline Fire. However, the area along Mill Creek and County Road 727 remains in pre-evacuation status. Area residents should remain informed of evacuation and pre-evacuation status as determined by Gunnison County. Evacuation information is located here. 

For Lowline Fire update information, contact the Gunnison Ranger District: (970) 641-0471.

For additional information:

GMUG National Forests Fire Information Hotline: (970) 874-6602

GMUG National Forests website: www.fs.usda.gov/gmug

West Slope Fire Information website: www.WestSlopeFireInfo.com

GMUG Fire Info Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMUG_NF