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Trail Springs and Mill Creek 2 Fire Update: November 7, 2023
Trail Springs Fire, Mill Creek 2 Fire
Publication Type: News 11/08/2023
Update: November 7, 2023
Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Scott Bovey, 59 Personnel
Command will transition back to the Pagosa Ranger District under Incident Commander Shane McCracken tonight at 6:00 p.m.
Trail Springs Fire | Size: 1303 Acres | Containment: 37% | Cause: Lightning
Both fires picked up in activity yesterday due to dry conditions and an increase in wind. Fire managers ordered another infrared flight last night to gauge growth. The Trail Springs Fire grew approximately 34 acres. Most of that growth occurred to the north of the existing footprint. There was also limited spread on the south side in a pocket that was unburned between the main perimeter and the Chris Mountain Fire scar. The fuel load in these areas is mostly heavy timber with a significant amount of dead and down trees. Firefighters remain in the area to ensure the fire remains within the defined limits. This level of readiness could remain in place for the next several weeks, depending on weather and environmental conditions such as wind, precipitation, and fuel moisture.
Mill Creek 2 Fire |Size: 146 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Human
Last night’s infrared flight measured approximately 20 acres of growth to the northeast, downhill into the next drainage. The fire is burning below the ridgeline over Mill Creek through mixed conifer stands with a considerable dead standing and down component. Fire managers expect this increased level of smoke to continue until the forecasted cold front passes through the area Wednesday night. Some smoke may continue to be visible until a significant winter storm extinguishes this fire.
Weather: Breezy weather continues today, blowing predominantly out of the southwest at 15-20mph. Wind will shift to blow out of the north Wednesday evening as a frontal passage moves through. Temps will drop about ten degrees behind the cold front. There’s a slight chance that the front will bring wetting precipitation on Thursday.
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). Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb page (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