Single Publication

Trail Springs and Mill Creek 2 Fires

Update: October 27, 2023

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Scott Bovey, 139 Personnel

 Overview: While the Trail Springs Fire has grown several hundred acres in the last 24-36 hours, much of that was planned growth and fire managers are optimistic about the work being done. Cloudy, colder weather and a chance for light rain is forecasted and will help moderate fire behavior. An area forest closure remains in effect around this fire. Minimal fire activity occurred on the Mill Creek 2 Fire again Thursday. 

Trail Springs Fire | Size:1112 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning 

Firefighters working directly along the fire’s northerneastern-most edge completed fire lines to stop further spread in that area. They also completed line around a large spot fire. Other crews worked to “mop-up” along roads and trails that were “burned out” Wednesday and Thursday. Mop-up means using water and hand tools to extinguish all hot spots closest to the fire line. Much of the smoke visible Thursday was from the burn-out, done both from the air and on the ground, to further secure the northeast side of the fire. No further aerial ignitions are planned today so there should be much less smoke coming off the fire. A large heavy lift helicopter was used to cool hot spots along the West Fork of Devil Creek to prevent the fire from crossing to the west side of the creek. Some hand-ignitions may occur today to finish securing the fire lines on the east and north flanks of the fire.

Mill Creek 2 Fire |Size: 121 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Under Investigation

The Mill Creek 2 Fire has not been active over the past several days, growing only four acres in recent days. The fire has run into a rocky area with only sparse fuels available. Firefighters remain positioned nearby and are ready to respond appropriately if fire activity picks up.

Weather:  Cloudy, cooler and higher humidity with a chance for light rain overnight.

San Juan NF Temporary Closures: An area closure is in place covering some roads and trails in or near the Trail Springs Fire area (Middle Mountain area). These include NFS Roads 630, 629.B, 629B1, and 620. Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb page (link below) and the “Alerts and Notices” page of the forest website: 

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