Single Publication

Forest Service News Release

Public Affairs Officer: Kimberlee Phillips                                               Public Affairs Specialist: Brittany Perrin

(970) 874-6717                                                                                     (970) 783-8054

kimberlee.phillips@usda.gov                                                                 brittany.perrin@usda.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/gmug

Spring Creek Fire

Montrose, Colorado, Sept. 11, 2023

Name: Spring Creek Fire

Location: East of Divide road, North of Spring Creek Canyon. The fire is approximately 15 miles southwest of Montrose, Colorado.

Size: Approximately 16 acres                                                Behavior: Group tree torching and spotting

Cause: Unknown–under Investigation                                   Jurisdiction: USFS

Containment: 0%                                                                  Threatened Structures: 0

Closures: National Forest System Roads (NFSR) #535 – Paradox road, NFSR #402.9A – Spring Creek Trailhead road, National Forest System Trail (NFST) #116 – Spring Creek Trail (from Dented Door to Paradox), NFST #126 – Paradox Trail and NFST #114.1B – East Fork of Dry Creek Trail

At approximately 3:44 p.m. Sunday, Sept.10, the Spring Creek Fire was reported on the Uncompahgre National Forest, approximately 15 miles southwest of Montrose, Colorado. The fire size was updated to approximately 16 acres after a Multimission Aircraft infrared flight at 11:30 a.m. Fire behavior is currently group tree torching with short-distance spotting in spruce, fir and aspen forest with heavy dead and down timber. The following closures are in effect, National Forest System Road (NFSR) #535 – Paradox road, NFSR #402.9A – Spring Creek Trailhead road, National Forest System Trail (NFST) #116 – Spring Creek Trail (from Dented Door to Paradox), NFST #126 – Paradox Trail and NFST #114.1B – East Fork of Dry Creek Trail.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Over the next several days, the fire area will see a potential for increased moisture, primarily in the afternoon and later into the evening. Winds remain low at 10 mph, and nighttime temperature lows remain in the mid-40s.

The fire is zero percent contained as of 11:30 a.m. No structures are threatened. Resources on scene include one Type 2 Helicopter, two dozers, one Type 4 and two Type 6 engines, and two fire modules. Firefighter and public safety are the priorities for this incident. In the interest of public safety, fire officials ask visitors to be aware of fire traffic and avoid the area. Please do not call 911. All updates will be posted to the GMUG Fire Info Facebook page.

For additional information:

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

Spring Creek Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cogmf-spring-creek

West Slope Fire Information website: www.WestSlopeFireInfo.com

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMUG_NF

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The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests manage approximately 3 million acres of land in Southwest Colorado within Delta, Garfield, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, Saguache, San Juan and San Miguel counties.