Single Publication

Saint Charles Fire Update

Monday, October 30, 2023 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander 

Information Phone: 970-628-0130

Email: 2023.saintcharles@firenet.gov

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

Current Situation: 

The Saint Charles Fire is 459 acres and 23% contained. This morning, operations will be delayed until the snow melts enough to safely gain proper access to the fire perimeter. The snowfall and colder temperatures have slowed the fire’s growth and reduced the fire behavior. Wet and icy conditions remain around much of the fire. All of the fireline has been accessed by firefighters with the exception a small section of the northeastern corner that is within a rock cliff area. 

Firefighters were not on the line Sunday due to inclement weather posing increased risk to firefighters. Crews utilized the opportunity to conduct trainings on general medical response and field evacuations as well as catch up on administrative tasks and maintenance.  The Saint Charles Fire will begin to release some of the assigned resources that have completed their duties. 

Snow did not suppress the fire; heavier fuels will continue to burn within the perimeter. The fireline will need to be improved and mopped up before full containment is achieved. Warmer temperatures and dryer conditions are predicted throughout the week. As conditions return to more seasonal norms, smoke may again be visible from inside the perimeter.

Weather,  Fuels, and Fire Behavior: 

The passing cold front delivered a blast of winter weather to the area Sunday with a substantial drop in temperatures and 8” of snow over the fire area. The snow contained approximately .4” of moisture. Colder temperatures will slow snow melt. Today will be sunny and cold with a low temperature around 6 degrees overnight and high temperatures predicted to be in the 30s. 

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

County officials met with the IMT this morning.  With the snowfall received over the fire area, the pre-evacuation status is expected to change this morning. to sign up for emergency alerts please visit https://www.custercounty-co.gov/ (Custer County) or https://www.pueblosheriff.com/242/Emergency-Telephone-Notification (Pueblo County).

Pueblo County implemented a burn ban on October 24, 2023.  More information can be found at https://www.pueblosheriff.com/162/Emergency-Management. Custer County initiated Stage 1 fire restrictions on October 24, 2023.  More information can be found at https://www.custercounty-co.gov/.

An Area Closure is in place for the fire area on the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC). For additional information, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices.

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

Fire Statistics:

Size:   459 acres 

Containment: 23%

Total Personnel: 365

Location: 7 Miles SW of Beulah, CO

Reported: October 14, 2023

Cause: lightning

For More Information:

  Information Phone: 970-628-0130 (public)

                                   719-470-0459 (media)

  Email:  2023.saintcharles@firenet.gov

  InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/copsf-saint-charles-fire

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/SaintCharlesFire

  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@SaintCharlesFireInformation

  Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/SaintCharlesFireInteractiveMap

Text Alerts: Text  SaintCharlesFire to 77295. Text and data rates apply.