Current Situation

·     A few scattered showers over the fire area kept fire behavior minimal on Saturday. Creeping and smoldering was observed in several areas within the fire perimeter while heavy, dead fuels, such as logs, continue to burn.

·     The Muddy Slide Fire is expected to be a long duration fire. It is burning in steep, inaccessible terrain where beetle-killed trees pose a risk to firefighter safety. As the weather gradually warms, fire behavior is likely to become active with more smoke visible throughout the area.

Operational plan for today

·     On the northern side of the fire, crews will continue building indirect fire lines and preparing for possible burnout operations later this week to remove vegetation between fire lines and the edge of the fire. If this action is undertaken, it will lessen the chance of fire spread to the north.

·     On the eastern side of the fire, firefighters continue to remove heat from the edge of the fire area and look for areas to build contingency fire lines further from the edge of the fire perimeter.

·     On the south and west sides of the fire, heavy equipment, such as dozers, is being used to improve fire lines along the power line corridor.

Evacuations

·     For areas currently under evacuation orders, please go to the Routt County evacuation map at: https://tinyurl.com/MuddySlideEvacMap

Structure damage assessments

·     The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for structure damage assessments. The Sheriff will report that information when confirmed.

County Fire Restrictions

·     Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Routt County. For details, see https://www.co.routt.co.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=439

National Forest Road Closures and Fire Restrictions

·     Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. There is also an area closure around the fire. For current forest closure and restriction information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbr/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5139680&width=full

Fire Conditions and Weather

Temperatures are forecast to be cooler today with a few afternoon showers possible. A gradual drying and warming trend will begin on Monday.

Current Situation

·     On Friday, the fire area received more approximately ¼ inch of rain mixed with hail in places, which moderated fire behavior.

·     Muddy Slide Fire is expected to be a long duration event. The recent rain and cool temperatures have given firefighters a temporary advantage, but live and dead vegetation are both exceptionally dry. The weather is forecast to turn warm and dry once again, which will support a return to active fire behavior.

·     Information boards are being placed within the local area. Over the coming days, some of these boards may be staffed, especially as aerial assets dip and scoop water out of the reservoir within Stagecoach State Park.

Operational plan for today

·     Fire crews will continue to take advantage of the cooler weather as they continue building and securing fire lines.

·     Scouting activities have identified additional possibilities to safely engage the fire. Fire managers are evaluating those opportunities to determine if there is a high chance for success.  

Evacuations

·     For areas currently under evacuation orders, please go to the Routt County evacuation map at: https://tinyurl.com/MuddySlideEvacMap

Structure damage assessments

·     The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for structure damage assessments. The Sheriff will report that information when confirmed.

County Fire Restrictions

·     Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Routt County. For details, see https://www.co.routt.co.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=439

National Forest Road Closures and Fire Restrictions

·     Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. There is also an area closure the fire. For current forest closure and restriction information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbr/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5139680&width=full

Fire Conditions and Weather

·     Afternoon showers and thunderstorms will be less widespread than previous days with continued cool temperatures and increased relative humidity, which will likely moderate fire behavior.  

 Current Situation

• On Thursday, the fire area received about 0.2 inches of rain, which temporarily reduced fire behavior. Firefighters took advantage of this brief reprieve to safely build fire lines closer to the edge of the fire.
• One more type 1 helicopter and two “Super Scooper” aircraft have arrived to assist ground resources.
• Muddy Slide Fire is expected to be a long duration fire due to a variety of factors. Over the past two days, fire managers have been able to fully evaluate fire behavior, moisture level of vegetation, and difficult terrain. The vegetation, or fuels, are exceptionally dry and are already very receptive to carrying fire, and while the cooler weather and moisture help in the short-term, the weather is forecast to turn warm and dry once again.

Operational plan for today

• Fire crews will continue securing fire lines and will scout for opportunities to safely engage the fire where there is the highest probability for success.
• The Structure Group is developing a detailed structure protection plan that considers how the fire could behave in the coming weeks. 

Evacuations

• For areas currently under evacuation orders, please go to the Routt County evacuation map at: https://tinyurl.com/MuddySlideEvacMap

Structure damage assessments

• The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for structure damage assessments. The Sheriff will report that information when confirmed.

County Fire Restrictions

• Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Routt County. For details, see https://www.co.routt.co.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=439

National Forest Road Closures and Fire Restrictions

• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. There is also an area closure the fire. For current forest closure and restriction information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbr/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5139680&width=full

Fire Conditions and Weather

• Rain is expected over the fire area in the morning, which will again moderate fire behavior.  

 Command

• The Rocky Mountain Area Type 2 Incident Management Team Blue assumed command of the Muddy Slide Fire at 6:00 am this morning

Operational plan for today

• On the south side of the fire, firefighters are removing fuels and applying retardant along a powerline easement, to use that area as a fire line.
• On the north side, along County Road 16, a Structure Group is developing a detailed plan to protect structures and implementing point protection.
• On the northwest corner of the fire, hotshot crews are building fire line directly along the edge of the fire to create an anchor point. This will be used to prevent the fire from moving further north.
• All ground resources are being supported by water and retardant drops from five helicopters.
• Fire managers are scouting for additional opportunities to safely engage the fire where there is the highest probability for success.

Evacuations

• For areas currently under evacuation orders, please go to the Routt County evacuation map at: https://tinyurl.com/MuddySlideEvacMap

Structure damage assessments

• The Routt County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for structure damage assessments. The Sheriff will report that information when confirmed.

County Fire Restrictions

• Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect in Routt County. For details, see https://www.co.routt.co.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=439

National Forest Road Closures and Fire Restrictions

• Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.
• In the Routt National Forest, these roads and trails are closed: Green Ridge Road, Morrison Creek Road, and Morrison Divide Trail.
• For current forest closure and restriction information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/mbr/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5139680&width=full

Fire Conditions and Weather

• On Thursday, the fire area is forecast to receive afternoon showers, thunderstorms, and increased moisture, reducing fire behavior in the short-term, giving firefighters an opportunity to safely engage the fire. 

Stage 1 fire restrictions went into effect Wednesday, June 16, 2021 for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland. This includes National Forest System lands located in Garfield, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties in northwest Colorado; Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Crook, Natrona, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston counties in Wyoming. Please view the stage 1 fire restrictions here, and associated maps may be seen here.

The fire grew considerably last night with very active fire observed. The fire is estimated at 3,500 acres with 0% containment and we will have more accurate information later tonight.  

The Routt County Sheriff's office upgraded the voluntary evacuation to a mandatory evacuation last night for residents on County Rd 16 between mile marker 12 and mile marker 21. The shelter at the Soroco High School in Oak Creek will open at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday (June 23).

The Hayden Fairgrounds in Hayden is taking livestock and the Routt County Humane Society at 760 Critter Court in Steamboat Springs will take pets but you MUST call 970-879-1090 before heading out to ensure someone will be on site.

The Routt County Sheriff's office has initiated a voluntary evacuation for residents on County Rd 16 between mile marker 12 and mile marker 21. A shelter has been set up at the Soroco High School in Oak Creek.

The Hayden Fairgrounds in Hayden is taking livestock and the Routt County Humane Society at 760 Critter Court in Steamboat Springs will take pets but you MUST call 970-879-1090 before heading out to ensure someone will be on site.

Routt County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously today to move from Stage 1 Fire Restrictions to Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Click here to read the Routt County news release with all the information.