Simms Fire – Update

Montrose, Colorado, May 20, 2022

Name: Simms Fuego

Reporte del Incendio De Simms Y Del Bosque Nacional Uncompahgre

Equipos de bomberos estan en la escena de incendio y  Evacuaciones estan en marcha

Montrose, Colorado, Mayo 19, 2022 - El Incendio Simms se informó hoy en el Distrito de Guardabosques Ouray del Bosque Nacional Uncompahgre. Está ardiendo en Pinyon Juniper con comportamiento de fuego activo.

Las estructuras en el camino del fuego están amenazadas. Para garantizar la seguridad pública, la Oficina del Sheriff de Ouray y Montrose ha emitido una orden de evacuación obligatoria. El área de evacuación se extiende cinco millas más allá del punto de origen estimado del incendio, aproximadamente 15 millas al suroeste de Montrose e incluye el área entre Simms Mesa Road y Government Springs Road, incluido Wildcat Canyon.

Los equipos de bomberos están en la escena trabajando para sofocar el fuego lo más rápido posible. Los recursos asignados incluyen dos camiones de motores pesados, dos de motores Tipo 6 y una tripulación de combustibles. Se han pedido y están en camino recursos adicionales, incluido un Equipo de gestión de incidentes complejos, aeronaves para misiones múltiples y tripulaciones. En este momento, se estima que el incendio tiene un tamaño de 370 acres. A principios de la semana se llevó a cabo una quema prescrita en las inmediaciones que se monitoreó diariamente. La causa del incendio está bajo investigación.

Para obtener información adicional, llame al (970) 252-4545. Para obtener más información sobre las órdenes de evacuación, visite https://montrosecountysheriffsoffice.com/ y https://ouraycountyco.gov/.

Para obtener informaciones actuales sobre las restricciones, condiciones y oportunidades de recreación actuales en el GMUG, visite el sitio web del bosque, la página de información sobre incendios del GMUG o www.westslopefireinformation.com. Connect with us on social media (Twitter and Facebook). Conéctate con nosotros en las redes sociales (Twitter and Facebook).

 Crews are on scene and evacuations are underway. 

The Simms Fire was reported today on the Ouray Ranger District of the Uncompahgre National Forest. It is burning in Pinyon Juniper with active fire behavior.

Size Estimate: 420 acres

Containment: 75%

Cause: Roadside Start

Start Date: 05/19/2022

TAMFS resources are on scene of the Twin Starts Fire and continuing fire line construction and mop up operations. Current acreage is estimated at 420, with 75% containment. All forward progression of the fire has been stopped. TIFMAS engine strike team 157 is working on mop up operations of hotspots near the fire perimeter. TAMFS bulldozers are working to create access to the fire where needed. No evacuation orders or closures are currently in effect.

Highs today will top out around 98 with a minimum humidity near 30 percent. South winds 7-11 mph will prevail once again through the period. There is a 20 percent chance of a shower or storm late this afternoon. 

Size: 420 acres estimated

Containment: 75%

Cause: Roadside Start

Date Started: 5/19/22

Crews on the Twin Starts fire made good progress constructing a containment line, bumping the containment to 75%. Acreage was updated to 420 to reflect better mapping and added burnout operation area. TAMFS heavy equipment is working to improve fireline in difficult to access terrain, and local fire departments are engaged in heavy mop-up operations in the fires interior. 12 structures were initially threatened and saved. All aviation resources have been released for the night. County motor graders have been released as well. The cause of this fire was a roadside start. 

The Twin Starts Fire is holding at 250 acres with 40% containment at 7:30, May 19th. Forward progression has been stopped and heavy equipment is being used in cooperation with aircraft to build containment lines. The left and right flanks of the fire remain active, and TAMFS crews are prepping to conduct a burn-out operation to tie together pockets of unburned fuel to better secure the fire's perimeter. Single engine air tankers, one large air tanker, as well as Travis County STARflight, and an air attack reconnaissance plane have been utilized. Humidity is expected to recover to 30-40 percent between 8-10pm, and continue to climb through the night, causing lower fire activity. Humidity will fall to the high teens once more on Friday with elevated to near critical fire weather forecasted.

Size: 351 acres

Containment: 95%

Cause: Roadside Start

Start Date: 05/17/2022

TAMFS command transitioned with Texas Interstate Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team 157 on Thursday, May 19th. Observed fire activity is minimal with smoldering and some smokes on the interior of the fire. Strike Team 157 will staff the fire on 5/20 and continue to mop up and patrol fire perimeter. 

Skies are in the process of becoming mostly cloudy. Dew Points are in the middle to upper 60s wit RH values near 70 percent. Highs today will top
out around 98 with a min humidity near 30 percent. South winds will prevail once again through the period. There is a 20 percent chance

of a shower or storm late this afternoon.

Good progress was made by crews on the Sandstone Mountain and Slab Road Fires on May 18th. Both fires began the afternoon of May 17th, as well as 12 other smaller fires managed by local resources. The cause was a roadside start on Highway 71. 
 

Better mapping reduced the acreage on the Sandstone Mountain Fire to 350 acres. TAMFS utilized dozers and local county motor graders to build and improve containment lines. Aviation resources were used for water drops on the fire’s perimeter. Containment is currently at 50%. One structure was initially threatened and saved by local resources. No evacuations or closures are in place, and fire activity is currently minimal. Crews from TAMFS Marble Falls IA, Lost Pines Task Force, and the Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS) Strike Team 157 will remain on the fire today to build and improve containment lines, mop-up interior hotspots, and patrol. The weather continues to be above average temperatures with low humidity and high winds, conducive of elevated to near critical fire weather. 

                                                                     
Current Situation: The Plumtaw Fire is now listed at 91% contained and is showing little heat.  The fire management team is releasing resources so that they can aid with any emerging incidents around the geographic area.  All roads and trails around the Plumtaw Fire are currently open. 

Today marks the final day the Type 3 Incident Management Team will manage the Plumtaw Fire. Control of the fire will be transferred to the Unaweep Wildfire Use Module and a Type 4 Incident Commander. This marks the final daily update for the Plumtaw Fire unless conditions significantly change. Over the course of the summer, the public may see additional smoke from the fire area as interior pockets of fuel may continue to burn.  Additional information, if needed, will be posted on the San Juan National Forest Facebook page and on Inciweb.

As summer begins, it is important to be ready for fire season. Before a wildfire occurs in your area, create defensible space near your house. Remove flammable vegetation and other combustible material near your home. This includes cleaning gutters, roofs, and removing material under decks. There are many other things you can do if you are landscaping your yard or remodeling your home that may add to the safety of your home and the likelihood firefighters will be able to defend it.  For more information and tips about landscaping go to www.firewise.org.

Develop an evacuation plan for your family and assemble an emergency supply kit. Include supplies for pets, important documents and medications. Know where you will go in case of a wildfire and have a back-up plan.

Thank you to the public and to our partners for your support and patience during the Plumtaw Incident.