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: Tonight’s recorded Community Fire Information Meeting can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/gcgyGnv1l9Y

Current Situation: Fire activity was minimal today due to the rains of last night and this afternoon and high humidity throughout the day. The moist conditions allowed firefighters to further secure perimeters by mopping up smoldering sources of heat in proximity to the fireline and build additional direct fireline. As a result, containment increased to 38%. 

While precipitation and humidity remain, fire activity will continue to be lessened allowing for work to progress and with less risk to firefighters.  However, as temperatures begin to warm and fuels dry out, as is predicted beginning Thursday, fire activity will increase making smoke more pronounced. Additionally, these conditions will aid burnout operations and augment the work to date by removing additional unburned fuels capable of carrying fire adjacent to the fireline.

In Division A, firefighters worked directly on fire edges patrolling and mopping up especially, where the fire’s edge remains in heavy pockets of fuel with dead and down logs.  The bulk of containment occurred on the east side in Division A and Z. 

In Division Z firefighters continued to build and improve fireline.  Emphasis was on the “finger” to take advantage of weather conditions and minimize further expansion. 

Division Y firefighters were unable to access the remote sections on the western and northwesters edges due to very wet conditions and thunderstorm activity. Additional resources were added to increase fireline depth on top of the rim and expand fireline length toward the West Elk Wilderness boundary.  

In Division W, along Middle Creek, fire managers continued preparations for a burnout operation planned to prevent perimeter movement beyond the creek to the north when conditions are drier.

Structure Protection operations were unchanged from the last few days and included conducting assessments and installing sprinkler systems as part of contingency planning.     

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Over the next 24 hours, little fire spread is anticipated outside of the current perimeter due to moist conditions and high humidity. Areas with dense mixed conifer fuels, ponderosa pine and spruce fir, and areas with heavy dead and down fuels will hold heat allowing for continued burning in the form of torching and short crown runs. Tomorrow and Thursday will have some lingering moisture, but precipitation chances will decrease markedly.  Temperatures will begin warming and RH will fall as part of a warming drying trend which models predict to last for the next 1 to 2 weeks and possibly longer.

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

Mandatory evacuations are in place in the Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek drainages. For specific 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 .

An area, road, and trail closure has been implemented on National Forest System lands near the fire area. For specifics see this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126172.pdf . BLM has implemented a temporary closure  in the fire vicinity. For details see this link: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district . 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.

There are currently no fire restrictions in Gunnison County. Should restrictions be implemented, they will be posted at this site: https://westslopefireinfo.com/gunnison-county/ .

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 1524 acres
Containment: 38%
Total Personnel: 419
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