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: 112 

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 valley, 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 yesterday. The fire behavior trend remains the same with no growth in size beyond 415 acres. The National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) is transitioning with the incoming Type 3 team who will assume command at 6 am on Friday.  

YESTERDAY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 

• Firefighters remained alert for any changes in fire behavior. 

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

• Began transporting mastication equipment off the Mosca Road as completion of indirect lines was accomplished.  

TODAY’S PLAN: 

• Continue structure protection with engine patrols. 

• Assess any changes in fire behavior. 

• Remove the Communications Command Repeater with help from Air Support. 

WEATHER:  

Increased cloud cover in the morning is likely. There is an 80% chance of wetting rain tomorrow afternoon and tomorrow night. Approximately 0.2 - 0.6 inches of precipitation is forecasted across the entire area. 

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

Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/mr2tpj69 

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