Single Publication

Lowline Fire Update

Sunday, August 13, 2023 – 9:00 a.m.

Type 3 Incident Management

Bryan Gaines, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 970-648-4470 (public)*, 970-765-7123 (media)*

Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Special Announcements: *On Monday, August 14th, the Lowline Fire Information and Media numbers will be deactivated. Moving forward, for active fire information, please call the GMUG Fire Information Hotline at (970) 874-6602. For any other USFS questions, please contact your local USFS District Office.

While smoke may be visible in and around the fire area, the air quality has greatly improved and is no longer at dangerous levels. Those still wishing to view the Smoke Outlook can find them 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 several days and remains at 55% containment.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Moisture from recent rainfall has helped diminish fire activity. About 2/10 of an inch fell around the fire yesterday. However, fuels continue to dry as the sun comes out and cloud cover diminishes. Today’s temperatures are expected to be in the high 70s to low 80s. While there is a 40% chance of rain predicted, this moisture is expected to stay to the south and east of the fire area and may have little impact. Winds will continue to come from the West/Northwest at 10-15 miles per hour.

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 general 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: 138  

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)*

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

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo