Single Publication

Little Mesa Fire Update

Friday, August 18, 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: 3,677 acres                                         

Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass

Containment: 30%                                                      

Total Personnel:  63                           

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: Gusty outflow winds from storms moving across the fire area yesterday kicked up the fire activity on the southwest end towards Dry Mesa Road. This activity stayed within the perimeter but generated more visible smoke in the area. The north end of the fire received some precipitation. It was a successful day for suppression repair, with firefighters able to finish repairing the handline along Tatum Ridge Road, seed the burn area, and fix fence line. The excavator completed work on the mastication lines and finished the majority of road repairs.

Today, the excavator will finish moving heavy natural material onto previously closed roads and dig holes for fence posts. Firefighters will patrol the fire edge and pull larger burning materials into the interior. If fire activity picks up again on the southwest end of the fire, firefighters may need to hand ignite off Dry Mesa Road to prevent the fire from crossing it. This morning, a Type 4 Incident Command assumed management responsibility for the Little Mesa Fire. This smaller organization will have ample fire resources along with availability of aircraft. The Type 3 Incident Organization would like to thank the fire resources for their hard work. Many will be released to allow for reassignment or days off to recuperate for the next assignment.

Weather: Deep subtropical moisture is in place across the entire western slope, which will set up for widespread showers and storms in the afternoon and evening. Moisture will continue to feed shower and thunderstorm activity near the fire through the end of the week. The threat of lightning and heavy rainfall will continue with the potential for a number of slow-moving storms. Gusty outflow winds will pose a lesser threat today. Winds will be from the southwest 10 to 15 mph with temperatures in the low 80s.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place 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 GMUG National Forests have issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

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. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:

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

Facebook: @LittleMesaFire                 Twitter: @SWD_Fire