Sand Creek Fire Update 
June 27, 2020 – 10:00 a.m. 

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander 

Information Office: (970) 426-5491 
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. 

Sand Creek Fire Remains at 71 Acres 
Current Situation: The Sand Creek Fire was unaffected by winds moving over the area on Friday. The fire remains at 71 acres. Green grass and live vegetation have helped  limit the fire’s growth as it creeps through heavy fallen trees. On Saturday, dry thunderstorms are again expected in the area. Firefighting resources remain engaged with the Sand Creek Fire and will be finalizing the Weminuche Valley structure assessment. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Isolated thunderstorms with very little rainfall are anticipated Saturday afternoon. These storms could possibly bring strong winds and frequent lightning to areas north and east of the Sand Creek Fire. Afternoon temperatures are expected to be in the 70s and humidity will fall to near 15 percent. 

Evacuations and Closures: A forest closure is in effect around the fire area. The full text and a map of the closure can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6790/. The Piedra River Trail (596), Little Sand Creek Trail (591), Lower Weminuche Trail (595), Coldwater Trail (597), and Coldwater Stock Trail (598) are all presently open. The Sand Creek Trail (593) and North Ridge Trail (594) are the only trails that are closed at this time. Mosca Road, NFSR 631 is also closed within the fire area. NFSR 631 east of the fire area is restricted to local traffic only. Please see today’s map for the extent of the Mosca Road closures and restrictions.

Smoke Outlook: An air quality monitor is set up in the vicinity of Piedra, where Colorado State Highway 160 crosses the Piedra River. Air quality at that location is anticipated to be good this morning, and is predicted to remain good across the Outlook Area through the weekend and into the first part of the week. Smoke from Arizona fires continues to drift into southwestern Colorado, and may be noticed as slight haze. Information on air quality and a smoke forecast for the area can be found at https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/SWColorado. 

Fire Restrictions: Fire danger across the region is rated as extreme. Fire restrictions are in place on the San Juan National Forest. Archuleta County and Hinsdale County have both enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Sand Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

For More Information: 
 InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6790 
Facebook: facebook.com/2020SandCreekFire 
Twitter: twitter.com/sanjuannf 
Location: Approximately 20 miles northwest of Pagosa, CO 

Sand Creek Fire Statistics: 
Size:  71 acres
Containment:  0% 
Total Personnel:  301
Cause: Lightning

Sand Creek Fire Update June 26, 2020 – 10:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander
Information Office: (970) 426-5491
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Little Change on the Sand Creek Fire

Current Situation: The Sand Creek Fire continues to burn with low to moderate intensity, creeping and smoldering in heavy downed trees. Being located on a northeast facing slope, the fire has been somewhat sheltered from recent winds and has had little growth.

All Sand Creek firefighting resources remain engaged with the fire, looking for possible control line locations and assisting with the Weminuche Valley structure assessment. During yesterday’s concentrated lightning event, crews and aircraft were available to respond to any new fire starts. The Sand Creek fire sent a helicopter to assist with the 505 fire, which was discovered north of Bear Creek, near Missionary Ridge. Sand Creek fire crews and aircraft will be ready to assist with any new fire starts again today.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Another warm day is expected today, with temperatures in the low 80s. Some moisture will remain over the area Friday and Saturday, creating scattered afternoon thunderstorms. These storms are expected to be dry, with strong downburst winds and possible lightning.

Evacuations and Closures: A forest closure is in effect around the fire area. The full text and a map of the closure can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6790/. The Piedra River Trail (596), Little Sand Creek Trail (591), Lower Weminuche Trail (595), Coldwater Trail (597), and Coldwater Stock Trail (598) are all presently open. The Sand Creek Trail (593) and North Ridge Trail (594) are the only trails that are closed at this time. Mosca Road, NFSR 631 is also closed within the fire area. NFSR 631 east of the fire area is restricted to local traffic only. Please see today’s map for the extent of the Mosca Road closures and restrictions.

Smoke Outlook: An air quality monitor was set up in the vicinity of Piedra, where Colorado State Highway 160 crosses the Piedra River. Data collected from the Piedra air quality monitor suggests that air quality should remain good Friday and Saturday, as smoke from the Sand Creek Fire is expected to move down drainage along Piedra River. Smoke from Arizona fires continues to drift into southwestern Colorado, and may result in a slight haze. Information on air quality and a smoke forecast for the area can be found at https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/SWColorado.

Fire Restrictions: Fire danger across the region is rated as extreme. Fire restrictions are in place on the San Juan National Forest. Archuleta County and Hinsdale County have both enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Sand Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

For More Information:
InciWeb:          https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6790
Facebook:        facebook.com/2020SandCreekFire
Twitter:            twitter.com/sanjuannf
Location:          Approximately 20 miles northwest of Pagosa, CO

Sand Creek Fire Statistics:
Size:  71 acres
Containment:  0% (revised from yesterday’s 2% due to improved mapping)
Total Personnel:  248
Cause: Lightning

Sand Creek Fire Update 
June 25, 2020 – 10:00 a.m. 

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black 
Troy Hagan, Incident Commander 

Information Office: (970) 426-5491 
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. 

Sand Creek Fire Grows By Six Acres; New Management Team Arrives 

Current Situation: On Wednesday, the Sand Creek Fire continued smoldering in the 2012 Little Sand Fire burn scar. Fire growth was minimal towards the retardant lines that were laid down last Sunday. Today, crews will continue with structure assessment in the Weminuche Valley northwest of the fire and assessing locations for control lines. Firefighters will continue to assess their options for keeping the fire as small as possible while also keeping firefighters safe. With the anticipation of lightning after 1:00 p.m. today, some firefighters working the Sand Creek Fire will be available for initial attack on any new fires that may emerge. 

At 6:00 a.m., Rocky Mountain Area Type 2 Incident Management Team Black assumed command of the Sand Creek Fire. Team Black thanks Brad Pietruszka’s Type 3 organization for their work prior to the team’s arrival. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Sunny skies are expected over the fire until mid-morning with clouds building midday leading up to scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon bringing lightning and very little moisture. Temperatures are expected to be in the low to mid 80s on Wednesday with minimum humidity at 15-18%. Winds will be light through the morning and picking up to 9-13 mph out of the west-southwest. As the thunderstorms form in the afternoon, winds will increase to 15-20 out of the southwest with gusts up to 28 mph. 

Evacuations and Closures: A forest closure is in effect for the area of the fire. The full text and a map of areas in the closure can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/6790/. The Piedra River Trail (596), Little Sand Creek Trail (591), Lower Weminuche Trail (595), Coldwater Trail (597), and Coldwater Stock Trail (598) are all presently open. The Sand Creek Trail (593) and North Ridge Trail (594) are the only trails that are closed at this time. Mosca Road, NFSR 631 is also closed in the fire area. Please see closure map for area of the Mosca Road closure. 

Fire Restrictions: Fire danger across the region is rated as extreme. Fire restrictions are in place on the San Juan National Forest. Archuleta County and Hinsdale County have both enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Sand Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

For More Information:
 InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6790 
Facebook: facebook.com/2020SandCreekFire 
Twitter: twitter.com/sanjuannf 
Location: Approximately 20 miles northwest of Pagosa, CO 

Sand Creek Fire Statistics: 
Size:  71 acres 
Containment:  2% 
Total Personnel:  241 
Cause: Lightning 

 Pagosa Springs, Colo., June 24, 2020 – While firefighters prepare for what the Sand Creek Fire may do in the days ahead, they will also be keeping an eye on the sky. Dry lightning is possible tomorrow and it was a lightning storm in mid-June that started several fires in the area, including this one. Fire danger is also considered extreme now so any ignition has the potential to create challenges for firefighters.The fire continues to slowly burn, mostly in fallen dead trees left by the 2012 Little Sand Fire. A flight over the fire last night indicated some growth in the last 24 hours, with its size now estimated at 71 acres. With the rugged terrain and hazards posed by thousands of standing dead trees (snags), fire managers have not found many options for effective fire lines close to the current perimeter. The threat to any structures or communities is very low at this time. Firefighters will continue to assess their options for keeping the fire as small as possible while also keeping firefighters safe.

Pagosa Springs, Colo., June 23, 2020 – Although the weather remains hot and breezy, those conditions are not expected to promote rapid fire growth on the Sand Creek Fire today. Firefighters on the ground, assisted by helicopters dropping water, are working to contain the fire to the smallest acreage possible safely. It is estimated at 65 acres and it is not currently threatening any communities or structures.

Fire managers put a high priority on full suppression in areas where firefighters can mitigate safety hazards and protect important values that may be at risk. The remote terrain and high density of dangerous dead trees (snags) in and around this fire creates a difficult situation for firefighters. This has resulted in firefighters taking a careful look at areas farther from the fire, where they can safely engage. This also includes reviewing structure protection plans developed during the 2012 Little Sand Fire. Residents within the Weminuche Valley may notice firefighters in the area, but the fire does not pose a threat to any populated areas and firefighters are simply verifying plans developed eight years ago for their current applicability.

Smoke from this fire is visible to the north from US Highway 160 between Pagosa Springs and Bayfield. Please do not report the smoke. Fire danger is EXTREME and fire restrictions are in place on the San Juan National Forest.

Additional incident information on the Sand Creek Fire is being posted daily to: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6790/

https://facebook.com/2020SandCreekFire

All offices on the San Juan National Forest are currently conducting business and providing services virtually. For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970 ) 247-4874, visit the forest website , or follow us on social media (Twitter and Facebook).

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Pagosa Springs, Colo., June 22, 2020 – Large air tankers made 15 retardant drops over the Sand Creek Fire Sunday and a VLAT, Very Large Air Tanker, made one drop as well, effectively slowing the spread of the fire. It is now estimated at 60 acres. The retardant will buy firefighters time to develop tactics to successfully contain the fire in the days ahead. One hundred ten people are now working on the fire. “This is very difficult ground for firefighting,” says Incident Commander trainee Tracy Milakovic, “and we need to carefully assess where we can most safely and effectively engage.” Hotshot crews and Wildland Fire Modules, another type of specialized firefighting team, are in the area and working to identify the best places to construct fire lines, as well as monitoring the fire’s behavior and movement.