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Quartz Ridge Fire Update - September 18th
Quartz Ridge Fire
Publication Type: News 09/20/2023
QUARTZ RIDGE FIRE
September 18, 2023
Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Nathan Hallam
Daily Update – 9:00 AM
This update will continue to occur every other day unless significant activity occurs.
Highlights: Smoke production from both fires may be visible. Sunny skies and warmer temperatures continue over the next few days. Drying and warmer weather will likely increase fire activity within the fire perimeter of both fires. With the return of clear skies and dry weather, fire activity is expected to increase slightly allowing for additional smoke production over both fires. Prescribed burning activity is in the area south of Hwy 160.
Quartz Ridge Fire: 2,850 acres | 35 personnel assigned
An increase of two acres was measured on the Quartz Ridge Fire. Firefighting crews continue to focus on improving the shaded fuel break lines on the East Fork Road. Steady improvement of the firebreak lines will be priority for Quartz Ridge fire crews with anticipation of the project along the 684 road into the operational shift. As this weather matrix continues to warm and dry, expect to see increased fire activity and smoke production.
Weather: Fall weather continues with mostly clear skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to be in the low 60s while the overnight temperatures will fall below the low 40s; the highest elevations are approaching freezing. Light winds out of the west at 5 – 10mph with gusts up to 15mph will be present over the next few days. A change in the weather pattern is expected as early as Wednesday where winds will ramp up with potential gusts up to 30mph.
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. Roads and trails within the Quartz Fire area are Quartz Meadows Rd (NFSR#684), Quartz Ridge Trail (NFST#570), Quartz Creek Trail (NFST#571). The trails within the Bear Creek Fire area are Little Sand Trail (NFST #591) and Shaw Creek Trail (NFST#584).
Fire Information Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Phone: 970-426-5370