Single Publication

Bear Creek Fire start date:   

August 1, 2023 

Location:  23 miles Northwest of Pagosa Springs, Colorado  

Cause:  Lightning 

Incident Commander: 

Jay Kurth 

Management Team: 

NIMO Team 1 

Management:  Suppression 

Fire size today: 415 acres 

Containment:  0% 

Completion:  71%    

Personnel: 39 

Evacuation Information:   

Weminuche Valley is under pre-evacuation notice. Local residents should follow incident information and updates. 

Closures:  

• Coleman Park in Pagosa Springs 

• https://tinyurl.com/trails-and-roads 

INCIDENT OBJECTIVES: 

• Firefighter and Public safety are the highest priority. 

• Protect private lands within the Weminuche Creek drainage, natural resources, cultural and historic sites, recreation assets and critical infrastructure including powerlines and gas utility lines. 

Indirect control lines are being utilized to accomplish multiple objectives of full suppression in accessible parts of the fire and confinement in areas that are remote and/or present high safety risks to firefighters. Overall, 71% of these objectives have been completed. 

The Bear Creek Fire was inactive again yesterday and is likely to stay the same today. There are still a few hot spots (appearing like campfires) in the northeast but they are not a concern. The fire behavior trend remains the same with no growth in size beyond 415 acres in the past week. The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) is informing the in-coming Type 3 team during the next few days to ensure they learn the strategies and details of the fire before assuming command on Friday. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will begin to assess the Bear Fire today. 

YESTERDAY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

• Completed the indirect fire line along the Mosca Road with the two masticator crews. Approximately 2.5 miles of vegetation along the road was masticated.  

• Firefighters remained alert for any changes in fire behavior. 

TODAY’S PLAN: 

• Begin the process of transporting the mastication equipment out of the area.  

• Continue structure protection with engine patrols. 

• Assess any changes in fire behavior. 

• Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will begin reconnaissance of the fire. 

WEATHER:  

The Bear Creek Fire received moisture yesterday and during the night. Higher humidities will continue today with a 50% chance of showers or thunderstorms. The temperatures will be between 60-70 degrees depending on elevation. Winds will be light but increase around storms. 

Incident Information: https://tinyurl.com/mrx4pp27 

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/mr2tpj69 

Email :  2023.bearcreek@firenet.gov       Information Line : 970-426-5370