Single Publication

Update: November 3, 2023

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Scott Bovey, 114 Personnel

Trail Springs Fire | Size: 1251 Acres | Containment: 37% | Cause: Lightning

There was little to no growth of the fire yesterday. Fuels within the existing perimeter continue to smolder. Some active burning was observed on the northeast side but firefighters have determined that it does not pose a threat to the fireline. Crews continue to reduce fuels along the west side of Corral Mountain Road to reinforce the road as indirect fireline. Others work their way up East Monument Road chipping the piles of brush and branches left behind from earlier fuel reduction efforts. This work will continue for several more days. Suppression repair is also underway in select areas where firelines are no longer needed. Handlines are created by using tools to scratch away the earth’s surface down to bare mineral soil. To repair them, crews replace the top soil, duff, and woody debris that was removed to make it look natural again. Where the terrain is steep, they incorporate water bars to divert water runoff into intact soil layers, so it doesn’t rush down the handline and cause erosion.

The fire danger level is currently high, so it is important that forest users completely drown campfires to prevent unintended escape. Use the “drown, stir, feel” method to be sure it's dead out.

Mill Creek 2 Fire |Size: 122 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Under Investigation

This fire is located in rugged, remote terrain near the border of the South San Juan Wilderness Area. On their last recon flight, firefighters spotted only a few isolated locations still smoldering. Firefighters are actively observing this fire from strategic locations on the ground and from the air, and will continue to do so until heat is no longer detected.

Weather: Expect generally light west to southwesterly breezes each afternoon and north to northeasterly drainage winds overnight. Skies will be mostly clear with dry weather. These conditions continue with little change in the forecast for at least the next five days.

San Juan NF Temporary Closures: An area closure is in place involving roads and trails in or near the Trail Springs Fire area (Middle Mountain area), including Forest Road 630, East Monument Road, at its intersection with Turkey Springs Road. Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb page (link and QR code below) and on the “Alerts and Notices” page of the forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sanjuan/alerts-notices 

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8962.html#areas

Fire Information: 970-426-5370 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) | Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanjuannationalforest