Single Publication

BEAR CREEK FIRE

September 11, 2023                         

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Nate Hallam 

Daily Update – 9:00 AM  

Highlights: 

Both the Quartz Ridge and Bear Creek fires had minimal to moderate fire activity yesterday. The Bear Creek fire received a few rain showers, though less fell over Quartz Ridge. With increased moisture in the forecast, smoke will mostly be localized to the valleys nearest the fires, with moderate impacts to Pagosa Springs and the San Juan Mountains. However, the Colorado Department of Health is not issuing any Air Quality Advisories for the area today (9/11). Fire activity on both fires is expected to decrease as weather comes in this week.

Bear Creek Fire: 1090 acres| 83% of objectives achieved | 61 personnel assigned 

Yesterday, the Bear Creek Fire saw moderate fire activity mid-morning, until afternoon showers brought wetting moisture to slow fire activity. More showers overnight brought 24-hour rain totals to 0.41”, but prevented a mapping flight, so there is not a new acreage to report today. Crews will remain actively engaged in the Weminuche Valley and prepping the Mosca road as a contingency line today, though minimal fire activity is expected with continued moisture through mid-week.  

Weather: Yesterday was very dry, although weather had changed overnight with fair humidity recovery. Today, the area will be out of critical periods of dryness and will experience a cooler trend through the week. There will be higher humidity today, around 25%, as well as an increase in thunderstorms, although there is a low chance of wetting rains. There is evidence of possible virga, rain that evaporates before it hits the ground.  

San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures:  Closure orders are in effect and additional information can be found here: Quartz Ridge Closure and Bear Creek Closure. The trails within the Bear Creek Fire area are Little Sand Trail (NFST #591) and Shaw Creek Trail (NFST#584).