Increased fire behavior is possible today as an approaching cold front combines gusty winds with hot temperatures and low humidity. These conditions bring the potential for fire spread eastward along Keyser Ridge and possible movement in the St. Louis Peak area.  Over the past several days crews have been working in conjunction with helicopters to slow the spread of fire in these areas.  Fire lines have been constructed along the Crooked Creek and St. Louis Creek Roads to contain any eastward spread of the fire.

Yesterday, smoke cover from the Cameron Peak fire resulted in cooler than expected temperatures, assisting crews in their efforts to monitor the fire area.  Helicopters continued water drops as needed.  Structure protection was completed around the Bobtail Mine and Denver Water facilities.

Today, fire managers will be closely monitoring the fire as the weather changes.  Firefighters will continue to monitor and respond to fire activity where necessary.  Helicopters will make water drops as long as the weather allows them to do so safely.  At the end of the day, forecasted cold and wet weather will help to suppress fire activity. Tonight, all firefighters will be relocated to indoor quarters for their safety.

Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for record or near record heat, very dry conditions and increasing winds. These conditions will once again bring critical fire danger to the fire area on Monday.

Forest Closures: The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests area closure remains in effect as fire operations continue. This closure helps ensure public and firefighter safety while heavy equipment is being utilized throughout the fire area. Forest Service officials and fire managers continue to reevaluate the area closure and will make changes when it is safe to do so. Visit fs.usda.gov/arp for Forest Service area closure details. Updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife can be found at cpw.state.co.us

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect for Grand County. 

With the current heating and drying trend, vegetation in the fire area is becoming more conducive for increased fire activity. Fire activity is expected to increase through Sunday.

Over the past two days, fire managers gained useful insight about remaining heat in remote areas of the Williams Fork Fire via infrared imagery from an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). This useful tool assists fire managers in making short-term and long-term decisions about firefighting tactics.

Yesterday, helicopters continued to drop water on hot areas along the northern edge of the fire. Crews began fire line rehabilitation work along the edge of the fire adjacent to Williams Creek. The chipping of removed vegetation has been completed along St. Louis Creek Road and has started along the Crooked Creek Road. Today, crews will continue to monitor fire activity, continue heavy equipment work, and use helicopter water drops as needed.

Weather: On Friday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for record or near record heat, very dry conditions and increasing winds. These conditions will bring critical fire danger to much of the northern mountains and high valleys of northern Colorado Sunday and Monday.

Forest Closures: The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests area closure remains in effect as fire operations continue. This closure helps ensure public and firefighter safety while heavy equipment is being utilized throughout the fire area. Forest Service officials and fire managers continue to reevaluate the area closure and will make changes when it is safe to do so. Visit fs.usda.gov/arp for Forest Service area closure details. Updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife can be found at cpw.state.co.us

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect for Grand County. 

Fire crews on the Williams Fork Fire have reinforced control lines and cooled down areas with residual heat over the past few days. Heading into the Labor Day weekend, fuels are drying out again; with temperatures rising and relative humidity decreasing, the fire is expected to become more active through Sunday. 

Yesterday, fire managers utilized an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to gain valuable insight into remote portions of the fire area. The northern flank of the fire was flown, providing fire managers valuable imagery, which will assist them in making informed decisions.

Helicopters dropped buckets of water over an area with residual heat in the southeast portion of the fire yesterday; this will continue as needed today. Crews continued work between the fire and Williams Creek, along St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160) and along Crooked Creek Road. 

The Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests area closure remains in effect as fire operations continue. This closure ensures public and firefighter safety as heavy equipment is being utilized throughout the fire area. Forest Service officials and fire managers continue to reevaluate the area closure and will make changes when it is safe to do so. Forest visitors are encouraged to drive with special care over this busy holiday weekend. 

Weather:  The forecast calls for increasingly drier air and warmer temperatures with a possibility of red flag weather conditions returning to the area this weekend. 

Forest Closures: Visit fs.usda.gov/arp for Forest Service area closure details. Updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife can be found at cpw.state.co.us

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect for Grand County.

Fire Prevention: Creating a buffer between your home and trees, shrubs, or other wildland areas, is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Not only does this space help slow or stop the spread of wildfire, it also provides a safe place for firefighters to defend your home if conditions allow. Visit BeWildfireReady.org to learn more.

Drier conditions yesterday allowed crews to access the west side of the Williams Fork Fire. Crews worked to mop up the area where aerial ignition was completed last week to remove vegetation between the edge of the fire and Williams Creek. Mop up, which is performed to remove heat from the edge of the fire area, had been delayed due to several days of rain that occurred over the fire area. Crews felled damaged trees and extinguished any remaining hot spots along the containment lines.

Fire line construction along Crooked Creek Road and St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160) continues to progress well. Crews expect several days of fuel reduction efforts including tree and brush thinning before these fire lines are complete.

Fire managers are taking advantage of moderated behavior to scout for possible confinement opportunities closer to the north side of the fire.

A Forest area closure remains in effect for public and firefighter safety as fire operations continue. The Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest continues to monitor the fire and will adjust the area closure when it is safe to do so.

Weather: The forecast calls for drier air and warming temperatures with a possibility of red flag weather conditions returning to the area by the end of the week.

Forest Closures: Visit fs.usda.gov/arp for Forest Service area closure details. Updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife can be found at cpw.state.co.us

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect for Grand County.

Fire Prevention: Creating a buffer between your home and trees, shrubs, or other wildland areas, is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Not only does this space help slow or stop the spread of wildfire, it also provides a safe place for firefighters to defend your home if conditions allow. Visit BeWildfireReady.org to learn more.

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Cooler temperatures and wet weather persisted over the Williams Fork Fire resulting in no observed fire growth in the past 24 hours. Some minimal fire behavior, including pockets of heat, smoldering, and light burning being driven by heavy fuels including dead and down timber is expected to continue. Fire activity may increase later this week as a high pressure system is forecasted to move into the area later today bringing warmer and drier conditions.

Fire crews are taking advantage of the cooler weather and are continuing to focus on installing fire lines west of Fraser and south along St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160). Although this work is progressing well, crews expect several days of fuel reduction efforts before these fire lines are complete.

No evacuations or pre-evacuation notices are currently in place due to the Williams Fork Fire.   A forest closure remains in effect for both public and firefighter safety.

Today, the Type 2 Rocky Mountain Blue Team will shadow the Great Basin Incident Management Team (IMT), to allow for a smooth transition and ensure that tactics and efforts being used on the fire will continue as scheduled. The Rocky Mountain Blue Team will officially assume management of the fire this evening. 

Weather:  The forecast is calling for clearing skies and drier air later today as the cold front moves through the area. Warmer temperatures and a possibility of stronger winds are anticipated for later in the week.

Evacuations: The Grand County Sheriff has lifted all remaining pre-evacuation orders. Residents and guests to Grand County can receive emergency notifications by signing up for CodeRED at gcemergency.com and downloading the mobile app to their phones. While not expected, fire conditions and weather can change, prompting new pre-evacuation or evacuation orders, therefore, the public should always be prepared.

Forest Closures: The U.S. Forest Service has a closure order in effect west of Winter Park and Fraser that includes roads, trails and campgrounds. All areas within the closure are closed. Please visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp for details. Visit https://cpw.state.co.us/ for updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Grand County.

Fire Prevention: Creating a buffer between your home and trees, shrubs, or other wildland areas, is essential to improving your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. Not only does this space help slow or stop the spread of wildfire, it also provides a safe place for firefighters to defend your home if conditions allow.  Visit BeWildfireReady.org to learn more.

For official fire information, maps and photos, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6971/

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Based upon review by the Incident Management Team and the Sheriff, pre-evacuation from Area 1 was lifted on Aug, 31st.  Pre-evacuation for Area 2 was lifted on Aug. 28th.  No areas in Grand County are currently in evacuation or pre-evacuation status.

Fire activity remained minimal over the weekend on the Williams Fork Fire, as cooler temperatures and wetting rains suppressed most fire growth. Precipitation over the area of the fire has varied, with Keyser Ridge receiving as much as 0.72 inches over the past three days, whereas other areas have received less than 0.25 inches.  The moisture received will provide firefighters an opportunity to continue fire suppression and protection efforts into the coming week without threat of significant fire behavior.  Although rains have dampened the fire, pockets of heat continue, with the heavy dead and down timber continuing to smolder and burn underneath tree canopies. 

Fire crews continue the construction of fire line west of Fraser and south along St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160).  As noted in previous updates, this work is progressing well, but is anticipated to take several days to complete.  The contained area of the fire along the Williams Fork River remains secure, with firefighters now beginning the process of removing fire hose and equipment used in containment efforts. 

The Type 1 Great Basin Incident Management Team (IMT) 2 will transition responsibilities of managing the fire to the Type 2 Rocky Mountain Blue Team on Wednesday.  Over the next two days, the two teams will work together to exchange information and provide a smooth transition. 

Weather:  The forecast is for cooler temperatures on Monday with a second frontal passage bringing a chance of isolated thunderstorms mid-afternoon. Breezy conditions and a drying trend are expected through the coming week.

Facebook Fire Update:  Due to the reduction in fire activity, the live Facebook fire updates were discontinued Sunday evening.  However, future live updates will be provided if fire conditions warrant. Morning video and written updates will continue, as well as posting of fire information on InciWeb, Facebook and Instagram.

Evacuations: The Grand County Sheriff plans to lift the pre-evacuation order for Area 1 later today. Residents and guests to Grand County can receive emergency notifications by signing up for CodeRED at gcemergency.com and downloading the mobile app to their phones. While not expected, fire conditions and weather can change, prompting new pre-evacuation or evacuation orders, therefore, the public should always be prepared.

Forest Closures: The U.S. Forest Service has a closure order in effect west of Winter Park and Fraser that includes roads, trails and campgrounds. All areas within the closure are closed. Please visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp for details. Visit https://cpw.state.co.us/ for updated information about hunting and wildlife from Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Grand County.

Fire Prevention: While the team cannot accept donations, there is something residents can do for the firefighters: remove overgrown vegetation around their homes and be prepared in the event an evacuation is ordered. Download a Grand County Ready, Set, GO! Action Guide or visit BeWildfireReady.org to learn how.

For official fire information, maps and photos, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6971/

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Containment of the Williams Fork Fire is now at 10 percent.  The line of containment is near CR 30 along the western edge of the fire, extending south to Darling Creek.   The additional containment has been accomplished after several days of hard work; including construction of control lines, burning (utilizing aerial and hand ignition), and mop up operations.  This has included extinguishing stump holes, burning logs, and other pockets of heat to ensure the fire’s edge is cold.    

Crews continue utilizing heavy machinery to thin the dense timber along St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160).  Steady progress is being made in cutting, limbing, and chipping vegetation, providing additional clearing along the road which will serve as a containment line if the fire moves into the St. Louis Creek valley.  Due to the distance and amount of vegetation required to be removed, the work will take several days. 

A combination of bulldozers, masticators and hand crews are spending their third day constructing a fire line west of Fraser. The work includes clearing of thick timber and removing potential fuels in addition to tying the line into roads and other features.  When complete, the line will help protect the community and provide for fire suppression if the fire were to reach the area.

Weather: A second day of wetting rain dampened the fire on Saturday, reducing fire activity.  The precipitation received will assist in slowing fire growth into next week.  Beginning today, a dry and breezy pattern with increasing temperatures and lower humidity is forecasted.  The drying pattern is anticipated throughout the coming week, with a potential for red flag conditions consisting of very low humidity and sustained wind possible by the end of week.

Facebook Fire Update:  A fire update will be hosted on the @WilliamsForkFire Facebook page, live tonight at 5 p.m. Due to the reduction in fire activity, live updates will be discontinued beginning Monday.  However, future live updates will be provided if fire conditions change. 

The update will be closed captioned in real time through an online streaming text service for the deaf or hard of hearing populations. You do not have to have an account to view videos on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/williamsforkfire.

Evacuations: While being reviewed, area 1 remains under pre-evacuation. Residents and guests to the area can receive emergency notifications by signing up for CodeRED at gcemergency.com and downloading the mobile app to their phones. Area road closures are also listed on that web page.

Forest Closures: The U.S. Forest Service has a large closure order in effect west of Winter Park and Fraser that includes roads, trails and campgrounds. All areas within the closure are closed. Please visit www.fs.usda.gov/arp for details. Visit https://cpw.state.co.us/ for updated information about hunting and wildlife.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Grand County.

Fire Prevention: While the team cannot accept donations, there is something residents can do for the firefighters: remove overgrown vegetation around your homes and be prepared in the event an evacuation ordered. Download a Grand County Ready, Set, GO! Action Guide or visit BeWildfireReady.org to learn how.

For official fire information, maps and photos, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6971/

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