La Jara, CO — May 28, 2022 – The Menkhaven Fire was reported around 3:00 today near milepost 20 on Colorado State Highway 17 at the Menkhaven subdivision approximately 18 miles west of Antonito, CO. The subdivision was evacuated along with all homes north of highway 17 between Horca and Fox Creek according to San Luis Valley Emergency Management. The Aspen Glade campground on the Conejos Peak Ranger District has been placed on pre-evacuation standby. Highway 17 is closed in the area.

The fire is burning in a steep canyon in mixed conifer fuels with brush and aspen. The size of the fire was mapped at approximately 197 acres in the early evening by the Multi-Mission Aircraft. Numerous engines from Conejos County, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, and the Rio Grande National Forest are on scene, working to suppress the fire. Air tankers were ordered and are enroute. The helicopter that was ordered was grounded due to high winds. A Type 3 Incident Commander has assumed command. Hot shot crews and various overhead resources have also been ordered.

Forest Road #101 has been closed at Fox Creek and the forest boundary north of Horca.

The Rio Grande National Forest is in Stage 1 fire restrictions. No campfires are allowed, unless in developed recreations sites. See the full restrictions here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/riogrande/notices/?cid=STELPRDB5143145

We will continue to post fire updates on our Facebook page.

For information on the Rio Grande National Forest, call (719) 850-2374, visit the forest website, or follow us on our Facebook page or Twitter.

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  Midpoint Fire
 
 9:30 am
 
Size: 3,717 (mapped)
Containment: 77%
Location: Deaf Smith/Oldham County
Cause: Unknown

Yesterday, May 30, crews found hot spots (concentrated pockets of heat) in some areas along the containment lines and extinguished them. High winds were observed yesterday, but caused no issues to containment. 

For today, May 31, a small crew will go out to the fire today to monitor and patrol to make sure that no issues will arise in preparation for a storm system forecasted to move in this evening. Tune in to local weather stations for updated forecasts on weather. 
Losses
In total, one occupied home with a barn and outbuilding along with one unoccupied home have been lost. Three occupied homes were saved.  

 Midpoint Fire
 
 10:30 am
 
Size: 3,717 (mapped)
Containment: 77%
Location: Deaf Smith/Oldham County
Cause: Unknown

Forward progression of the fire was stopped and all necessary lines on the fire were tied in yesterday. Crews mopped up any heats close to the line. Aircraft was utilized making drops on the north and east side of the fire. A 26 acre spot had occurred, but crews responded quickly and were able to use aircraft to keep it contained. 

For today, May 30, elevated conditions are forecasted with high winds and low humidity. Crews will be out to patrol and mop up in anticipation for the elevated conditions. The fire is inactive and any heats found will be mopped and extinguished.

Losses
In total, one occupied home with a barn and outbuilding along with one unoccupied home have been lost. Three occupied homes were saved.  

 Midpoint Fire
 
 1:30 pm
 
Size: 2,000
Containment: 60%
Location: Deaf Smith County
Cause: Unknown

Crews were able to make progress on the fire constructing lines and conducting burnout operations when able. Rough terrain not seen in the daylight along with weather conditions had made the fire highly resistant to control.  Extreme fire behavior was observed throughout the entire night and this morning. Aircraft was only utilized for monitoring of the fire. Due to weather conditions, air tankers were unable to make drops. 

Fire crews have transitioned this morning and will continue to improve lines where needed and hold. Crews plan to hold the fire south of I-40. Additional resources  have been requested for the fire along with Single Engine Air Tankers who have been able to make retardant drops. Weather still makes progress difficult and little to no recoveries were observed throughout the night. Winds persisted throughout the night into today sustaining SW at 25 mph with gusts to 42 and relative humidity as low as 6 percent. Winds are forecasted to increase in the evening. Refer to local weather stations for current forecasts.

Multiple structures threatened. Crews will work on getting an accurate structure count.  

I-40 between Glenrio and Adrian is reopened. There are no road closures due to the Midpoint fire at this time.

 I-40 Between Adrian and Glenrio is shut down due to wildfire pushing from the south. Fire Crews are performing burnout operations

Midpoint Fire
 
 9:00 pm
 
Size: 1400 Est.
Containment: 10%
Location: Deaf Smith County
Cause: Unknown

Crews have engaged both flanks of the fire with heavy equipment and engines, constructing line and also performing burnout operations while the wind is still in the favor. The head of the fire has moved into rough canyon topography which slowed it, but made access harder. 

Multiple structures threatened. No current number on structures.  

Parker, AZ – The Lost Lake Fire started May 26th on the Colorado River Indian Reservation 14 miles southwest of Parker, AZ. The fire burned along both sides the Colorado River in California and Arizona. Fire crews stopped the fire’s forward progress May 30.

 

After containment lines were improved and firefighters felt confident to leave the large fire with the local unit, a transfer of command from Barela’s Central West Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team back to the BIA, Colorado River Agency occurred June 1.

 

Due to the large fire area, firefighters will monitor containment lines to ensure there is no residual heat left in the fire area. Firefighters are patrolling to ensure all pockets of heat are out. Fire resources will decline in the days ahead as they complete work to repair dozer lines that may otherwise cause erosion.

 

This will be the final update unless significant fire activity occurs.

 

Management Objective: Key management objectives have been met allowing a transfer of command back to the Colorado River Agency tonight at 6:00 p.m.

Evacuations: NONE. There were no structures damaged or destroyed throughout the duration of the wildfire.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Colorado River Indian Tribes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Riverside County Fire and other cooperating entities.

Parker, AZ – The Lost Lake Fire started May 26th on the Colorado River Indian Reservation 14 miles southwest of Parker, AZ. The fire burned along both sides the Colorado River in California and Arizona and is now mostly smoldering along the Colorado River basin where vegetation is thickest.

 

While the fire’s progression has stopped, 127 acres of additional growth occurred yesterday as a result of more accurate mapping.

 

Management Objective: Key management objectives have been met, allowing a transfer of command back to the Colorado River Agency Wednesday evening. In preparation for this transition, the Incident Management Team is releasing unnecessary resources. The remaining fire resources will finish containing the fire while keeping it inside the Colorado River basin, away from communities areas, specifically north of Agnes Wilson Road. When containment is reached, dozer lines will be repaired to reduce erosion and long-term impacts to the landscape.

Operational Update: A pocket of unburned vegetation was detected Monday afternoon that may have presented challenges to the containment line near Lost Lake Resort, CA. Firefighters assessed the surrounding area, constructed a dozer line to contain it and allowed the pocket of vegetation to burn itself out.

A machine pile created to protect the entrance to Lost Lake Resort, CA will be opened and spread apart today as part of repair work taking place in the area. The machine pile holds heat, which firefighters will extinguish today. Other large machine piles that are within the fire’s interior are burning down. Firefighters are looking for and extinguishing hot spots along the fire area. 

For the 50% of the fire area that is now contained, firefighters are patrolling to ensure all pockets of heat are out.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always our first priority. Please stay away from the Lost Lake Fire area to allow remaining fire personnel to safely work. Additional fire traffic will be on the roadways as they are released to other fires.  Please drive cautiously to ensure the safety of all drivers.

Weather: Sunny with highs in the mid-to-upper 90’s. In the afternoon, wind will be southwest up to 12 mph.

Evacuations: NONE. There were no structures damaged or destroyed throughout the duration of the wildfire.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Colorado River Indian Tribes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Riverside County Fire and other cooperating entities.

May 30, 2022

Parker, AZ – The Lost Lake Fire started May 26th on the Colorado River Indian Reservation 14 miles southwest of Parker, AZ. The fire is burning along both sides the Colorado River in California and Arizona.

Firefighters have stopped the fire’s progression and are improving containment lines along all flanks of the fire using large helicopters, heavy equipment, a fire boat, and engines.

Evacuations: NONE. The 15 homes along 15th avenue, AZ were allowed to return to their homes the evening of May 29.

Management Objective: Safely improve containment efforts while keeping the fire inside the Colorado River basin, away from communities areas, specifically north of Agnes Wilson Road. Firefighters are coordinating with resource advisors to identify and protect cultural, archeological, and other sensitive sites.     

Operational Update: BIA Colorado River Electrical Services restored power to Hidden Valley Resort May 29. There are no power outages as a result of the Lost Lake Fire.

Firefighters safely conducted a burning operation overnight to remove unburned vegetation that threatened containment lines on the eastern flank of the fire on the California side. This successful work by firefighters added 262 acres to the total fire area but improved containment by 13%. The fire is now 5,727 acres and 47% contained. Firefighters will be extinguishing heat and monitoring this area the next couple shifts.

A fire boat will support firefighters with providing water to fire crews working to extinguish thick brush and salt cedar that grows within the river basin. Firefighters are also breaking up large machine piles that are within the fire’s interior to release internal heat to let them burn down faster.

Firefighters are also patrolling the southern and eastern flanks of the fire area to ensure there is no remaining heat.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always our first priority. Please stay away from the Lost Lake Fire area to allow fire personnel to safely work and drive slowly along roadways where fire traffic is working.

Weather: Sunny and haze with areas of smoke will occur this afternoon. Wind directions will be more northerly this morning but should slowly shift back to southwest during the late afternoon and evening hours.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Colorado River Indian Tribes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, Riverside County Fire and other cooperating entities.