Single Publication

Thursday, August 10, 2023 @10 am

Little Mesa Fire Update

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area

Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management

Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM

Cause: Lightning

Estimated Size: 414 acres

Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass

Containment: 0%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Total Personnel: 65

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Air operations are being conducted on the Little Mesa Fire. For your safety, please stay out of the Potholes Recreation Area. The helicopters are using this water source for fire suppression.

Current Situation: Management of the Little Mesa Fire has transitioned to a Type 3 team. The fire is estimated at 414 acres and has been divided into two Divisions for operational purposes. Yesterday, firefighters prepared the Dry Mesa Guzzler and two historical round pens in anticipation of fire passing through the area, and identified other range infrastructure in need of protection. Crews were able to hold the fire at Tatum Ridge Rd west of the fire, burn fuels along the road to strengthen the securement line of Escalante Canyon, and complete the road as an improved indirect fire line in advance of fire growth. The fire spotted across the Little Canyon to the east on to Dry Mesa but crews were able to catch and suppress the spots at under 1/10th of an acre. Crews scouted the Black Ridge to Black Point yesterday for areas of opportunity to create additional fire lines should the fire cross the primary containment lines along Dry Mesa Rd.

Today, firefighters on the west side, Division A, will work to secure any unburnt islands along Tatum Ridge Rd and continue to hold the fire along the road. In Division Z, to the east of the fire, crews will secure the Dry Mesa Rd by burning off fuels in advance of the fire. They will also identify areas where they can utilize drones to clean up interior pockets of unburnt fuel in Little Canyon. Forest Service and BLM resource specialists are scouting to identify areas of concern and prevent resource damage. Additional fire crews are en route to arrive this afternoon.

Weather: The forecast is showing a chance of showers today and tonight, with a greater chance of wetting rain over the fire area this evening. Winds out of the Southwest will be more mild than they have been but are still expected to push smoke towards Delta.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures in Delta County on Dry Mesa Rd at the intersection with Escalante Rim Rd in Escalante Canyon and on USFS Dry Mesa Rd at Sawmill Mesa Rd junction.

Smoke:  Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and Highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road, especially in the afternoons. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety:  Aircraft may be used over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!