Single Publication

Little Mesa Fire Update

Wednesday, August 9, 2023

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: 359-acre

Vegetation Type: Pinyon pine, Juniper, sagebrush,        Containment: 0%

and grass

Full Suppression Fire                                                  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 Pothole Recreation Area. The helicopters will be using this water source to dip water from the potholes for fire suppression.

Current Situation: Last night the Little Mesa Fire was transferred to a Type 3 organization that will assume command of the fire. The fire is estimated at 359 acres by the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Multi-mission Aircraft infrared flight last night. Yesterday, firefighters prepped values at risk in the fire area and were able to hold the fire at natural barriers. The fire spotted across the little canyon and pushed up towards Dry Mesa Road, but no holding concerns once fire reached the sagebrush and slowed fire behavior.

Today, firefighters on the west side will hold fire along the Tatum Ridge Road to keep fire from going into Escalante Canyon. If weather conditions allow, firefighters will burn vegetation along their indirect lines to secure any up drainage runs that would impact indirect lines or Escalante Canyon. The firefighters on the east side will patrol Dry Mesa Road and continue prep on values at risk, Dry Mesa Guzzler and two historical round pins. They will scout further to the east along Black Ridge to Black Point. 

Weather today should bring cooler temperatures and lighter winds that will decrease critical fire weather conditions. There is a change in weather starting on Thursday that may lead to increase in moisture and thunderstorms which could bring frequent lightning and gusty outflow winds each afternoon/evening through the weekend.

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

Smoke:  Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and Highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to https://fire.airnow.gov to get updated smoke conditions in North America. 

Aviation Safety:  Aircraft may be used over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. 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!

For updated information follow on these outlets:

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

Facebook: @BLMMontroseFireUnit    Twitter: @SWD_Fire