Single Publication

Little Mesa Fire Update

Friday, August 11, 2023

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

Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM

Cause: Lightning

Estimated Size: 433 acres

Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass

Containment: 0%

Strategy: Full Suppression

Total Personnel: 76

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: The fire area received very light rain last night but not enough to have a significant effect on fire behavior. Yesterday’s Multi-Mission Aircraft flight measured the fire at 433 acres. Firefighters spent yesterday cleaning up islands of unburnt fuel in Division A to secure Tatum Ridge Rd, which caused an increase in smoke put up from the fire area. Several spots were thrown into Little Canyon but crews were able to catch them before they spread. In Division Z, final scouting and prep work of Black Ridge to Black Point was completed and a plan was finalized for aerial ignitions to reinforce the line today.

Today’s plan is for firefighters in Div A to patrol Tatum Ridge Rd and continue to protect Escalante Canyon. In Div Z, crews will hold the fire line while aerial ignitions are performed to strengthen the fire line to the south and southeast, as conditions allow. This could cause a significant increase in smoke this afternoon into the evening.

Weather: Similar to yesterday’s forecast, the fire area has a chance of showers this evening into tonight. Winds out of the Southwest will 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 and on USFS Dry Mesa Rd at Sawmill Mesa Rd junction. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests have issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited, and includes National Forest System Road (NFSR) #502 – Dry Mesa road, NFSR #501.1A – South Bench road, National Forest System Trail (NFST) #102 – Picket Corral trail, NFST #102.1A – Picket Corral Spur trail and NFST #104 – Cabin Bench Area trail.

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

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying 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. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency owned and operated, which have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incid.../coupd-little-mesa-fire

Facebook: @LittleMesaFire Twitter: @SWD_Fire