Single Publication

Spring Creek Fire Update

July 1, 2023

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Two
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander

Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 2,921 acres
Containment: 24%
Total Personnel: 523
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO

Current Situation: Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 2 continues to focus firefighting efforts on limiting the spread of the fire. Working to fully suppress this fire requires a variety of firefighting methods to address the varied fuels and extreme terrain while providing for firefighter safety. On the west side of the fire, firefighters have been able to increase containment to 24% by creating handline adjacent to the fire’s edge. On the north side of the fire, the terrain is more difficult, preventing firefighters from being able to work along the edge where steep slopes create a high potential for burning logs to roll downhill and ignite fires below the line. To contain the fire there, firefighters have connected a handline to the Dry Creek Road. To help that road act as a fire barrier, firefighters are removing brush and depleting flammable materials along the road. On the northeast corner, the oak scrub brush is very thick, making the best tactic to use bulldozers to build line in that area. On the south side, the extremely steep terrain makes aerial water drops the best tactic for cooling the fire. Fire managers will continue to adapt their suppression strategy to best suit the varied conditions. Additional future tactics may include burning out areas of unburned fuel during good weather conditions to further secure the fire’s edge. The fire had no growth yesterday. Crews continue to work overnight to prevent fire spread. Fire crews are placing hose lines and water tanks for structure protection in Wallace and Dry Creek areas that could be impacted by the fire.

Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution with increase in fire personnel on the roadway.

Weather & Smoke Information: The weather is predicted to remain fairly stable, warm, and dry for the next few days. Light NW winds of 5-15 mph are expected. Overnight an inversion developed on the fire keeping it cool this morning. As the day warms up, that will burn off and the fire will become more active, but no significant activity is expected. By Tuesday, the weather is predicted to grow warmer and windier. The Spring Creek Fire is producing smoke that may affect air quality. For information on current air quality and related health concerns, visit garfield-county.com/air-quality or fire.airnow.gov.

Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.

Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County's emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff's office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information

Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 03/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!

Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information