Single Publication

Update: October 25, 2023

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Pat Seekins

130 Personnel

Overview: 

The Trail Springs Fire grew only slightly yesterday and fire crews made good progress working both to contain part of the fire and to prepare other areas for containment in the coming days. To that end, firefighters are preparing to do firing operations that could begin as early as this afternoon. A new closure order has been put into effect, covering multiple roads and trails in and near the Trail Springs Fire area.

Trail Springs Fire | Size:749 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning 

Yesterday firefighters directly engaged a portion of the northeast edge of the fire.  Water drops from helicopters helped cool the fire’s edge, allowing handcrews to get in close to construct fireline. 

Other firefighters were busy clearing and widening designated areas in preparation for strategic firing operations. Their work involved digging line, cutting down hazard trees, limbing healthy trees and removing debris. The control line they are developing will help anchor firing operations.  If conditions are favorable, firing operations may begin as early as this afternoon.  The goal is to create containment line by burning out grasses, brush and wood debris, which takes the fuel away from the fire.

Mill Creek 2 Fire | Size:118 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Under Investigation

The Mill Creek 2 Fire continues to show very limited fire activity. It is caught up in a high, steep, rocky area without access to substantial fuels. Because of the extremely difficult access and firefighter risk, firefighters are not being sent in to engage the fire. No homes, ranches or private holdings are at risk. Firefighters continue to closely watch fire behavior and assess potential control options should the fire move to lower ground.

Weather:  High temps around 60, relative humidity around 30% and light winds out of the southwest. 

San Juan NF Temporary Closures: An Area Closure is in place as of 10/24, covering multiple roads and trails in or near the Trail Springs Fire area. That includes NFS Roads 629.B, 629B1, and 620) Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb site (link is below).  

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs): A TFR is in effect over the Trail Springs Fire area. Details here: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8962.html#areas

Fire Information Phone: 970-426-5370

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/sanjuannationalforest

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-trail-springs-fir

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-mill-creek-2-fire