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.

Special Note: Community Fire Information Meeting tonight 6:00 PM at the Gunnison County Public Library, 1 Quartz St., Gunnison, CO. Livestreamed on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo .

Current Situation: The fire is currently 1427 acres and 21% contained. Weather yesterday was more favorable for burnout operations than anticipated. Thunderstorms passed over the fire between 1:00 and 5:00 PM, but very little rain fell. Humidity was a little lower than expected, which allowed for productive fuels ignition while limiting spotting potential. Hand crews made progress with fireline preparation and construction, and the Structure Protection Group continued work near the southern portions of the fire. Today will be a repeat of yesterday’s activities, but with less favorable weather expected. Precipitation chance is around 95% today, with up to 1/4 inch of rain possible.

The favorable weather allowed hand and aerial ignition to continue yesterday in Division A. Hand crews continued to extend burned areas westward, while a helicopter filled in the larger unburned areas in the interior of the fire. It is unlikely that much burning will be possible today given the expected weather, but crews will still work on patrolling, mopping up, and improving containment lines.

In Division Z yesterday, crews worked on building fireline around a small timber stringer, hand firing small patches of unburned fuel, mopping up, and patrolling. With the exception of burning, the same activity will occur today.

The engine crew in Division Y continued lighting fuels below the ridgeline to keep pace with the slowly westward advancing fire below. They cleared part of a UTV trail up the ridgeline and built medivac helispots in the event a firefighter is injured in this remote section of the fire in future days. Today, a UAS (Unmanned Aerial System or drone) will fly the ridge location of the future fireline and record video to help firefighters plan their work in the area.

Crews in Division W continued firing out fuels between the fire edge and indirect containment line yesterday, moving further to the west. Today, they will continue burning if weather permits, but more likely will focus on patrolling and holding the line.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Today, there is a 95% chance of precipitation, with up to 1/4 inch of rain expected. There is a chance of rain again on Wednesday, but Thursday begins a warming and drying trend. The weather will become hot and dry by the weekend.

Higher moisture levels have slowed fire spread and reduced overall fire behavior. Rain expected today should significantly dampen fire behavior for a day or two.

Evacuations: www.gunnisoncounty.org             Fire restrictions: currently none
Closures: USFS - www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126172.pdf
                  BLM - www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 1427 acres
Containment: 21%
Total Personnel: 412
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