Single Publication

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Public Information Officer, Amy Ricotta, 970-823-4060

Bucktail Fire Update – August 12, 2024, 11:00 a.m. 

Nucla, Colorado 

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 7,202 acres 

Percent Contained: 67% 

Resources Assigned: 110 personnel

Crews (2); Engines (4); Water tenders (1); Air Resources (1); Heavy Equipment (4)

Yesterday: The fire area stayed within its current footprint and rainfall helped reduce the fire intensity within the interior. Crews continued to secure containment lines. Firefighters transitioned from active suppression to repair and patrolling activities. Suppression repair efforts occurred with crews using heavy equipment and hand tools to return impacts caused by firefighting activities to a more natural state. Some firefighters were reassigned to other wildfires in the nation needing support.

Today: Firefighters continue cleaning up, patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter.  Suppression repair work is being carried out to address and restore areas impacted by firefighting operations. While the number of personnel on the fire will continue to decrease significantly over the next couple days, resources will remain on scene to monitor the fire perimeter.  

Highway 90 is open to through traffic. While the area closure remains in effect, at 8:00p.m. today, August 12, 2024, the 25 Mesa Road will also open to through traffic. There are active operations on this road with crews and heavy equipment, such as excavators. Please stay alert. The roads and trails north of Highway 90 in the fire area remain closed. Authorities will continue to evaluate road conditions in the affected area to determine the best approach for reopening other roads in the future. 

Weather: Lingering showers are possible Monday morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms redevelop over the higher terrain Monday afternoon. Storms will be capable of producing gusty winds to 40mph. Today’s temperatures will range from 76-81 degrees Fahrenheit while relative humidity will be 40-45%. 

Evacuations: None.

Closures:  While the area closure remains in effect, Highway 90 is open to through traffic. At 8:00p.m. August 12, 2024, the 25 Mesa Road will open to through traffic. The roads and trails north of Highway 90 in the fire area remain closed.

Road and area closures are in place within the proximity of the fire for public and firefighter safety. This includes 25 Mesa Road to the northwest, as well as Houser Road, Cottonwood Trail, and Hwy 90 to the south. The closure area also includes all roads and trails within this boundary. For a complete list of closed roads and a map of the closure area, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-bucktail-fire. 

The BLM temporary Emergency Closure Order and map are posted to the BLM Southwest District Fire page under Current Fire Restrictions & Notices / Uncompahgre Field Office at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district. 

The Forest Service temporary Emergency Closure Order and map are posted on the Forest Service Website at: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1198456.pdf. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If You Fly, We Can’t: https://knowbeforeyoufly.org/home

Smoke Information: Visit CDPHE - Colorado.gov/AirQuality to learn about protecting yourself from wildfire smoke. For more information on current air quality go to Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov) and zoom in on Southwest Colorado. 

Fire Prevention: Fire managers would like to remind everyone to be attentive to their actions and surroundings, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees. Preventing new fires is the most important thing anyone can do to help firefighters. Practice smart wildfire prevention behavior including never leaving a campfire unattended, and ensuring fires are completely out and cold. Make sure trailer chains don’t drag and dispose of smoking materials properly.  Every spark can start a fire!  

For additional information:

Montrose County Sheriff’s Office: https://montrosecountysheriffsoffice.com/bucktail-fire

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: https://dfpc.colorado.gov

Bureau of Land Management Southwest Colorado District, Uncompahgre Field Office: https://www.facebook.com/BLMMontroseFireUnit

West Slope Fire Information website: www.WestSlopeFireInfo.com

GMUG Fire Information https://www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo

Road Closures Montrose County: https://www.facebook.com/MontroseCountySO

Bucktail Fire Information Hotline: (970) 823-4060