Single Publication

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Public Information Officer, Vicki Shaffer, 970-823-4060

Bucktail Fire Update – August 7, 2024, 1:30 p.m. 

Nucla, Colorado 

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 4,155 acres 

Percent Contained: 10%

Resources Assigned: 193 personnel

Crews (5); Engines (4); Water tenders (2); Air Resources (4); Heavy Equipment (6)

Yesterday: Crews continued work on hand and dozer lines.  Gusting afternoon winds pushed fire beyond 614 Road but air resources responded with water drops to quickly secure the line.  New total fire growth was minimal.

Thank you to all who attended the community meeting in Nucla.  Additional questions can be directed to 970-823-4060.

Today: Newly arrived hotshot crews will be working on the Northeast side of the fire from the origin to 614 Road.  Helicopters, including a Type 1, will continue water drops on hot spots.  With the release of resources from other fires in the state, the Bucktail Fire received additional support, bringing the total personnel on scene to 193.

Weather: Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms continue.  Today’s temperatures will range between 73-83F with wind speeds up to 40 mph.  An uptick of monsoonal moisture moves into the region Friday through the weekend, increasing chances of widespread wetting rain.

Evacuations: None.

Closures:  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!