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High Park Fire update for May 13 2022 pm

Related Incident: High Park Fire

Publication Type: News Fri, 05/13/2022 - 12:00

Current Situation: The High Park Fire continues to burn 5.5 miles west of Cripple Creek. The fire has grown to 846 acres, most of the growth as a result of burnout operations that took place overnight, which assist with gaining containment by removing fuels between the fire and control features. The fire ignited on private property yesterday and was quickly pushed by strong winds onto Bureau of Land Management lands.

The fire is being managed under unified command between the Teller County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Royal Gorge Field Office. Approximately 150 air and ground resources are assigned to the fire, including Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control’s Multi Mission Aircraft, one Type 1 and one Type 2 helicopters, two large air tankers, an air attack platform, fire engines, fire suppression modules, and dozers. Resources from Platte Canyon, Divide, Cripple Creek, Tallahassee, Florissant, Fourmile, and Mountain Communities fire protection districts; Victor, Northeast Teller, and Lake George fire departments; Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, U.S. Forest service, and BLM are assigned to firefighting operations, with assistance from Southwest Teller Ambulance Service, Woodland Park and Cripple Creek police departments, Park County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado State Patrol.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders and notices for several residential areas near the fire, and Teller County is under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Please visit the Teller County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for up-to-date information on restrictions, evacuations, and closures. Sign up for emergency alerts from Teller County Sheriff’s Office at www.peakalerts.org.

A red flag warning is in effect for the fire area through 8 p.m. tonight, with continued fire weather conditions tomorrow. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on BLM public lands across the Royal Gorge Field Office. Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xuFcR.

High Park Fire Information:

Reported: May 12, 2022, 4:16 p.m.

Location: 5.5 miles west of Cripple Creek

Size: Approximately 846 acres

Percent Contained: 0%

Cause: Unknown

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8102/

Information Phone Line: 719-315-4005

High Park Fire burning on BLM and Teller County land west of Cripple Creek

Related Incident: High Park Fire

Publication Type: News Fri, 05/13/2022 - 12:00

Current Situation: The High Park Fire was reported at 4:16 p.m. this afternoon, May 12. The fire is burning on Teller County and Bureau of Land Management-Royal Gorge Field Office lands, approximately 5.5 miles west of Cripple Creek. At 6 p.m. this evening, the fire was mapped at 386 acres by the State of Colorado’s Multi-Mission Aircraft. The fire remains on Bureau of Land Management lands and no structures are threatened at this time.

Multiple agencies are on scene with both air and ground resources. Engines from the Bureau of Land Management, Teller County, local fire protection districts, and the U.S. Forest service are assigned to the fire. Two helicopters are providing support to ground resources. The Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control provided air support with multiple drops from a large air tanker.

The Teller County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders and notices for several residential areas near the fire. Please visit the Teller County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for up-to-date information on evacuations and closures.

The fire is being managed under unified command between the Teller County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Land Management’s Royal Gorge Field Office.

More information will be provided as it becomes available.

High Park Fire Information:

Reported: May 12, 2022, 4:16 p.m.

Location: 5.5 miles west of Cripple Creek

Size: Approximately 674 acres

Percent Contained: 0%

Assigned Resources: 150

Cause: Unknown

Helium Fire May 10 2022 430 pm

Related Incident: Helium Fire

Publication Type: News Tue, 05/10/2022 - 12:00

Helium Fire

Size: 3,264 (Mapped) acres
Containment: 100%
Cause: Powerline Failure
Location: Masterson Tx, Moore County

Crews had patrolled throughout the day and completed mop up around the entirety of the fire. There were no areas of concern and all resources have been released from the fire. This will be the final update for the Helium Fire.

Losses
Four abandoned factory warehouses and two abandoned coolant towers. All structures were abandoned helium plant infrastructure along with six commercial 18-wheeler tractor trailers. Total number of structures saved is 32.

Helium Fire May 10 2022 1000 am

Related Incident: Helium Fire

Publication Type: News Tue, 05/10/2022 - 12:00

Helium Fire

Size: 3,264 (Mapped) acres
Containment: 80%
Cause: Powerline Failure
Location: Masterson Tx, Moore County

For this morning, resources will be on the fire to monitor and patrol, putting out any hotspots and points of concern in preparation for increase of winds later on into the day. A red flag warning is in effect for today, but there are no anticipated concerns for the fire with containment or holding.

Closures and Evacuations
All evacuations and road closures have been lifted.

Losses
Four abandoned factory warehouses and two abandoned coolant towers. All structures were abandoned helium plant infrastructure along with six commercial 18-wheeler tractor trailers. Total number of structures saved is 32.

Helium Fire May 9 2022 1100 pm

Related Incident: Helium Fire

Publication Type: News Mon, 05/09/2022 - 12:00

Helium Fire

Size: 3,264 (Mapped) acres
Containment: 80%
Cause: Powerline Failure
Location: Masterson Tx, Moore County

Forward progression of the fire has been stopped and crews were able to construct line along the entirety of the fire. High winds drove the fire east jumping highway 87 and FM 1913. Aircraft was utilized heavily on the left flank of the fire with retardant drops. Resources who assisted with the fire consisted of Dumas Fire Department, TAMFS, Potter County Fire/Rescue, Channing Volunteer Fire Dept. Fritch Volunteer Fire Dept. Cactus Fire Dept. Stinnet Volunteer Fire Dept. National Parks Service, Moore County, Scout Oil and Gas and 8 private engines.

Closures and Evacuations
All evacuations and road closures have been lifted.

Losses
Four abandoned factory warehouses, two abandoned coolant towers. All structures were abandoned helium plant infrastructure along with six commercial 18-wheeler tractor trailers. Total number of structures saved is 32.

Helium Fire May 9 2022 200 pm

Related Incident: Helium Fire

Publication Type: News Mon, 05/09/2022 - 12:00

Helium Fire

Size: Est. 1,200 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: Unknown
Location: Masterson Tx, Moore County

At about 11:00 am, a wildfire had started outside of Masterson in Moore County. The Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) is working in unified command with Dumas Fire Department. Channing Volunteer Fire Department, Potter County Fire/Rescue and National Parks Service are on scene. Fire crews are engaging on both flanks with heavy equipment and engines. Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) have also been utilized and are making retardant drops on the left flank of the fire. Two Large Air Tankers (LATs) are en route from New Mexico to assist.

Closures and Evacuations
Highway 87 at the cross of Helium Plant Rd has been closed to the South. Evacuations have been put in place for residents and businesses in the area around Masterson.

Losses
At this time three outbuildings have been confirmed lost along with four commercial 18-wheelers.

Crews Get Additional Containment on Fire as Mop Up Work Begins

Related Incident: San Rafael Fire

Publication Type: News Mon, 12/12/2022 - 12:00

Start date – Saturday, May 7, 2022
Size – 11,620 acres
Containment – 62%
Location – 22 miles SE of Patagonia
Cause- Under Investigation

Patagonia, AZ (5/12/22) – The break in the Red Flag conditions have allowed firefighters to continue to build, improve, and strengthen containment lines around the San Rafael Fire. While some heat remains at the head of the fire, the lull in high winds has significantly helped resources establish additional containment and prevent further spread to the north and northeast. Yesterday, crews were able to get line in on the western, eastern, and southern flanks of the fire. Today work continues to tie in any unsecured line and begin mopping up. Firefighters are also tasked with patrolling the fire line to check for any interior smokes or hotspots that remain. An estimated 165 ground personnel remain assigned with aircraft on standby, if needed. Some resources on San Rafael have been reassigned to provide for initial attack should a new incident start nearby. With the increase in containment efforts overnight, the Southeast Zone Incident Management Team will transition the fire back to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management and the Coronado National Forest at 6:00 am Friday. Forest Road 799 and the Arizona Trail from Patagonia Lake to Harshaw Road remain closed for public and firefighter safety. All residential areas have returned to READY status per the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. The San Rafael fire started on Saturday, May 7, 2022, and pushed nearly 12 miles to the northeast the following day due to high winds and a dry grass crop. A corral at San Rafael State Natural Area was damaged during the start of the fire. The fire remains under investigation.This will be the final news release for the incident unless significant activity occurs. Information will stay updated on Inciweb and both DFFM and the Coronado National Forest’s social media platforms.

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Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8100/Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry

Firefighters Catch a Break with Tuesdays Weather

Related Incident: San Rafael Fire

Publication Type: News Tue, 05/10/2022 - 12:00

Start date – Saturday, May 7, 2022

Size – 11,611 acres Containment – 12% Location – 22 miles SE of Patagonia Cause- Under Investigation
Patagonia, AZ (5/10/22) – Today crews get some relief from the critical fire weather as Red Flag conditions dissipate over the fire area. Yet, even with yesterday’s Red Flag Warning, the fire did not see much additional growth. Firefighters were able to keep it within its current footprint and keep the fire from pushing through established containment lines. Today fire objectives include, constructing containment lines along the southern and western sides of the fire and mopping up along the eastern edge where containment lines have already been put in. The fire is 11,611 acres and is 12% contained. The fire remains active on the northern and southwestern sides, with hot spots, smoldering and creeping being reported within the fire’s interior. Pockets of interior fuel continue to burn, therefore as afternoon winds increase, smoke may be visible to nearby communities. A helicopter remains assigned to the fire to assist with bucket work to suppress any hot spots. There is no critical fire weather forecast for the fire area today, but afternoon winds could gust up to 30 miles per hour. Nearly 200 personnel are assigned to the fire, including hand crews, engines, water tenders, and aircraft resources. Per the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, all GO and SET notifications have been lifted as of Tuesday morning and residents have been placed back to READY, with the exception of the Canelo South-area which remains in SET. Forest Road 799 is closed for firefighter safety as crews continue to work along that roadway. Crews are also finding people in the burn area and for safety reasons, people are asked to stay out as hazards, such as ash pits, exist. As with any wildfire incident, conditions are constantly changing and it is essential people be prepared and stay aware. Residents should sign up for emergency notifications through their county’s emergency management website and put together a ‘go bag’. A go bag consists of important documents or papers, prescriptions, photos, money, snacks and water that one can grab quickly during the evacuation process. The San Rafael fire started on Saturday, May 7, 2022, and pushed nearly 12 miles to the northeast the following day due to high winds and a dry grass crop. The fire remains under investigation.

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Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8100/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry

Crews Worked Overnight Trying to Catch Head of Fire

Related Incident: San Rafael Fire

Publication Type: News Mon, 05/09/2022 - 12:00

Patagonia, AZ (5/9/22) – Crews took advantage of the decreased fire activity overnight and conducted fire handline construction ahead of the fire as a way to help slow the fire’s forward progress. This is a tactic used to reduce fuel in an area to potentially limit fire spread and growth. However, another round of Red Flag conditions Monday may hinder daytime fire suppression efforts as high winds, low relative humidity, and a dry fuel bed can create fast fire spread and erratic fire behavior, and likely unsafe fire conditions for direct suppression efforts. Predicted winds out of the southwest again can push the fire further to the north and northeast.Additional resources arrived on the fire Monday morning, include hand crews and engines. Nearly 120 personnel are assigned to the fire. Aircraft, including Large Air Tankers (LATs), Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), and helicopters are also assigned, but high winds may limit the ability to use aircraft efficiently.On Sunday, the wind-driven fire pushed to the northeast twelve miles through a very dry grass crop. The fire was mapped Monday morning at 10,562 acres with no containment. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reports SET for residents northeast of State Route 83 and Forest Road 799. The area south of State Route 83, in the area of Canelo Pass Road and Forest Road 799, remains in GO. Approximately 80 people have been evacuated due to the fire. Trigger points are used by fire management to determine when to notify residents of a possible evacuation based on current and expected fire behavior. But as with any wildfire incident, conditions can change quickly and residents are urged to stay alert and be mindful of their surroundings. The Red Cross has set up a shelter for evacuees at the United Methodist Community Church, 387 McKeown Avenue, in Patagonia. Currently, State Route 83 is open, but road conditions can also change at any given time. Drivers are urged to check 5-1-1. On Saturday, May 7, 2022, around 6:30 pm, the Department of Forestry and Fire Management, along with federal and local cooperators responded to the San Rafael Fire, approximately 22 miles southeast of Patagonia, in the San Rafael State Natural Area. The fire is under investigation.

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Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8100/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry

WindDriven San Rafael Fire Grows to 10000 Acres

Related Incident: San Rafael Fire

Publication Type: News Sun, 05/08/2022 - 12:00

San Rafael Fire Update: Sunday, May 8, 2022

Start date – Saturday, May 7, 2022Size – 10,000 acresContainment – 0% Location – 22 miles SE of PatagoniaCause- Under Investigation

Wind-Driven San Rafael Fire Grows to 10,000 acres

Patagonia, AZ (5/8/22) – Due to Red Flag conditions, including wind gusts up to 45 miles per hour, the San Rafael Fire is being reported at 10,000 acres. The wind-driven fire continues to push to the northeast across a heavy grass crop and is burning actively on the northeast side. Multiple hand crews and engines are currently engaged in fire suppression efforts. Aircraft, to include, Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs), a Large Air Tanker (LAT), and helicopters are also assigned to the fire. At noon today, the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management transitioned the fire to the Southeast Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team.The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office reports evacuations, or GO, for the San Rafael Valley and residences on Canelo Pass Road and Canelo Road. As with any wildfire incident, residents are urged to be on alert and be aware of their surroundings. Due to constantly changing conditions, more evacuations may be necessary. DFFM is working closely with the Sheriff’s Office on the need for evacuations or pre evacuations. The Arizona Department of Transportation has also closed State Route 83 northbound at the Cochise-Santa Cruz County line at milepost 10. For updated traffic information, dial 5-1-1.A Red Flag Warning was issued for the fire area through Sunday evening for high winds, low relative humidity, and very high to extreme fire behavior. The dry fuel bed coupled with those conditions are challenging firefighters and making suppression efforts difficult. On Saturday, May 7, 2022, around 6:30 pm, DFFM along with federal and local cooperators responded to the San Rafael Fire, approximately 22 miles southeast of Patagonia, in the San Rafael State Natural Area. One secondary structure has been confirmed destroyed. The fire is under investigation at this time.

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Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8100/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonastateforestry

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