Pine Gulch Fire

Pine Gulch Fire reaches 100 percent containment

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire and Aviation Management Unit’s Type 3 Incident Management Team gained 100 percent containment today and have transitioned command to the local Type 4 Incident Management Team.

Fire crews were able to contain the Pine Gulch Fire and complete majority of the suppression repair. The Type 4 team will continue to monitor the fire, mop up, and finalize any remaining needs for suppression repair.

The BLM Grand Junction Field Office still has a closure order in place for the perimeter of the fire while post-fire efforts continue. Local BLM staff in coordination with the Burned Area Emergency Team will continue to develop plans for emergency stabilization and rehabilitation to the burned area.

September 23, 2020 update Incident type: Wildfire
Size: 139,007 acres
Total personnel: 253
Contained: 100%
Location: Approximately 18 miles north of Grand Junction, CO
Maps of fire
Reported: July 31, approximately 5:15 p.m.
Cause: Lightning
Equipment and personnel include: 1 Type 2 hand crew, 3 engines, 1 bulldozer, 2 water tenders and overhead/support personnel
Information center: (970) 628-0130, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 812-3706, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Pine Gulch Fire progression map

Area closures: The Bureau of Land Management area closure has been reduced to lands managed by the agency in the fire perimeter only. Garvey Canyon Road, Coal Gulch Road and 21 Road are open only to the point at which they meet the fire’s edge. Areas beyond them in the fire perimeter are closed. There is no public road access to Barrel Springs Canyon.
For more information, see www.facebook.com/BLMColoradoFire

Open areas:
• County Road 256 east of Douglas Pass
• Coal Canyon
• Southshale Ridge and Corcoran Peak
• Public Lands North of Roan Creek (Garfield County 204)
• Mount Garfield hiking trail to foot travel
• North Fruita Desert (18 Road) campground and bike trails, including the Sarlaac Trail.
• Winter Flats Road, (Mesa County V 2/10 Road)
• Brush Creek and Carr Creek Roads (Garfield County 209 and 207)
The Edge Loop is open to the fire edge, but the Bureau of Land Management recommends users turn around at the mouth of Lippan Wash.


Emergency alerts: For Garfield County, please visit garco911.com. Mesa County alerts, please visit bit.ly/Emergency_Alerts.

Air quality: Air Quality Health Advisories may be issued in areas near the Pine Gulch and Grizzly Creek fires. A smoke outlook for the Pine Gulch Fire is available where this update is posted and at https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WesternColorado. For more information on smoke levels, please visit https://airnow.gov.

Smoke outlook: Outlook map.

Emergency alerts:For Garfield County, please visitgarco911.com. For Mesa County alerts, please visit bit.ly/Emergency_Alerts.

A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Pine Gulch Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever 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.

InciWeb: Pine Gulch Fire main website page

BLM lands within the Grand Junction Field Office are currently under stage 1 fire restrictions. Fire restrictions on BLM-managed lands in northwest Colorado

For more information:
Information office: (970) 628-0130, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 812-3706, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Email: 2020.PineGulch@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6906/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/PineGulchFireCO
Interactive fire map: https://arcg.is/W0izr
Smoke outlook: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WesternColorado

Pine Gulch Fire Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER)

BAER stands for Burned Area Emergency Response, a federal program that addresses post fire effects on public lands. Wildfires can cause complex ecological problems, from severe loss of vegetation and soil erosion, to a decrease in water quality, and flash flooding. The BAER program addresses post-fire emergency stabilization of these and other post wildfire problems, in order to protect public safety and prevent further degradation of the landscapes.

The BAER assessment team composition is determined both by the size of the fire and the nature of values potentially threatened by post-fire effects. Generally, specialists in soils, hydrology, geology, engineering, wildlife, botany, and archaeology assess the fire’s effects and predict the post-fire effects. Each resource specialist brings a unique perspective to the BAER process, to help the team rapidly determine whether the post-fire effects constitute urgent threats to human life, safety, property, or critical natural and cultural resources and to produce an integrated plan to respond to those threats.

The objective of the BAER program is to determine the need for and to prescribe and implement emergency treatments on federal lands to minimize threats to life and property resulting from the effects of a fire or to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources. During the assessment stage, the BAER process may identify values at risk on private of other jurisdiction lands, those issues will be communicated to the cooperators. Severely burned areas, steep slopes, places where water runoff will be excessive, fragile slopes above homes, businesses, municipal water supplies, and other valuable facilities are focus areas.

The BAER Team for the Pine Gulch Fire is currently working with the Fire Management Team, local agencies, has began analyzing data, developing projection models, and will begin working with landowners and stakeholders on findings.

Find more information about BAER teams.

County declares emergency over wildfires

Garfield County has declared a local disaster emergency over two large wildfires burning in the area, allowing the county to receive federal aid and assistance to combat the blazes.
Declaration

Garfield County Sheriff’s office: current evacuations and road closures

Most pre-evacuation orders lifted in the Grizzly Creek Fire area

GARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE – Effective at noon Wednesday, September 2 and in collaboration with the Incident Command Team (Alaska Team Incident Management) the evacuation and pre-evacuation orders on the Grizzly Creek Fire have been lifted for all of Lookout Mountain, Spring Valley Ranch, High Aspen, Homestead Estates, Coulter Meadows, Bair Ranch and Crystal River Ranch residents.

Pre-evacuation orders are still in place for the residents of No Name, due primarily to weather concerns for a potential debris flow and associated flooding that might occur.

All road closures have been lifted except for Transfer Trail. This is an area closure by the Forest Service and applies to all motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and dirt bikes, as well as pedestrians. Anyone not associated with the Incident Management Team or who is not a first responder found in this area will be subject to appropriate fines and immediate removal. This is still an active fire with only 91% containment. There are 86 people being directed by the Incident Management Team to combat this fire. This requires not only a large number of ground personnel, but also the movement of equipment into and out of the area. Everyone is asked to respect this area closure for the safety of themselves and the men and women combating the Grizzly Creek Fire.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. Evacuations: Register at garco911.com to get emergency alerts, view the Garfield County Sheriff's Office facebook page, and subscribe to Garfield County Emergency Management info at garfieldcounty.net.
Do not call dispatch.

Evacuations and road closures in English and Spanish

GRIZZLY CREEK FIRE

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Map
Map of evacuations and pre-evacuations
Type in your property address, owner name, parcel, account # or subdivision to see if you are in the evacuation or pre-evacuation zone.
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Evacuations
None currently for Grizzly Creek Fire

Pre-evacuations - flooding risks
• No Name
• Bair Ranch

Road closures
• Transfer Trail in the Flat Tops area

COTrip (for information on highway closures)

Comunidades evacuadas:
Ninguno actualmente para Grizzly Creek Fire.

Comunidades en pre-evacuación - riesgos de inundación:
• No Name
• Bair Ranch

Carreteras cerradas:
• Transfer Trail in the Flat Tops area

COTrip (para información sobre el cierre de carreteras)

PINE GULCH FIRE

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Map
Map of evacuations and pre-evacuations
Type in your property address, owner name, parcel, account # or subdivision to see if you are in the evacuation or pre-evacuation zone.
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Evacuations
• None currently for Grizzly Creek Fire


Pre-evacuations
• Colorado Highway 139 (Douglas Pass) east to County Road 207 (Carr Creek Road), between County Road 204 (Roan Creek Road) and County Road 256 (Four A Ridge Road)
• North of County Road 256 (Four A Ridge Road) to the Rio Blanco county line
• West of County Road 209 (Brush Creek Road) to County Road 207 (Carr Creek Road)
• County Road 205 (Salt Wash) from the Mesa County line to the 3.5 mile marker.


Road closures
• County roads in the above evacuation areas are closed.
• County Road 200 is closed at the county line.
• County Road 204 is restricted to local residents and official vehicles only at County Road 209 intersection.
• COTrip highway closures

Be safe during wildfires

Wildfires are moving swiftly and unpredictably. Sheriff’s Office personnel will visit your home to alert you of evacuations and pre-evacuations. If you are not home, you may miss this important information. Follow the public information channels designated for each incident at all times to be sure you are aware of announcements that may impact you, and to make critical decisions for your safety.

Emergency alerts: Sign up for emergency alerts through the Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority at Garco911. Once registered, you will receive either voice or text notifications about any potential safety hazard that could affect your area. Log in now and update your contact information.

Emergency management: Subscribe to email alerts from the Garfield County Emergency Operations Center for emergency information from agencies managing incidents. View it online at garfieldcounty.net.

Pre-evacuation: This is the time to prepare to evacuate. Pre-evacuation notices should be taken very seriously; this is your time to prepare to leave your home. During pre-evacuation, you should collect important documents and other irreplaceable items and have them ready in a fully fueled vehicle and be prepared to get family and pets out the door in a moment’s notice. If you own livestock, this is the time to move them – there will be no time to move livestock once an evacuation notice is in effect. It’s best to have a family communications plan and escape route set, as well as an emergency kit on-hand. Make plans for a place to stay outside of the threat area. Even if you haven’t received an evacuation notice, trust your instincts – if you feel that you’re in danger, get out. The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers a comprehensive list of measures you can take to lessen the chances your home will be affected by wildfire.

Evacuation: You need to leave the area now. An evacuation notice means there is imminent danger and you need to evacuate the area as quickly and safely as possible. Follow directions of emergency authorities. Be aware of conditions, especially wind speed and direction, while leaving the area. If you are injured while evacuating, call 911 immediately after you are clear of the evacuation zone. The Colorado Department of Transportation’s COtrip website has information on road closures and any impacts that may affect your evacuation route.

Rest areas, bike path and river access continue to be closed in Glenwood Canyon

I-70 MOUNTAIN CORRIDOR ― Glenwood Canyon rest areas, bike path and river access remain closed in order to ensure safety. These closures are to protect motorists, cyclists and hikers from potential debris flows, mudslides or rockfall along Interstate 70 in the canyon, which are more likely due impacts from the Grizzly Creek Fire. Travelers on I-70 and visitors are not allowed to stop in Glenwood Canyon, to ensure that the Colorado Department of Transportation and law enforcement can evacuate the canyon as quickly as possible in the event of a safety closure on I-70.

CDOT, the U.S. Forest Service, Garfield County, Eagle County, and the Colorado State Patrol will reassess conditions this winter to determine when it will be safe to reopen the No Name, Grizzly Creek, Hanging Lake, Shoshone and Bair Ranch rest areas. CDOT asks that travelers instead use the rest areas in Edwards (via Exit 163 to 220 Edwards Access Rd, Edwards, CO 81632) and Rifle (via Exit 90 to Lion Park Circle, Rifle, CO 81650).

Rest areas, the bike path and river access have been closed since the beginning of the Grizzly Creek Fire on Aug. 10. The safety closures have continued in order to ensure travelers stay on I-70 while traveling in Glenwood Canyon. The canyon is vulnerable to debris flow, mudslides and rockfall after moderate, heavy or extreme rainfall. Also, several rest areas and hiking trails in the canyon are located in drainages, where debris flow and mudslides are more likely to take place. Hiking is not safe because of the potential debris flow as well as fire activity continuing in some areas.

The Glenwood Canyon bike path will remain closed between No Name (Exit 119) and Bair Ranch (Exit 129) until 2021, so that crews can repair damage caused by rockfall during the Grizzly Creek Fire. Limited use of the bike path is allowed from Glenwood Springs to No Name, to allow No Name residents to commute to work by bicycle.

River access to the Colorado River also continues to be closed, to ensure safety.

Motorists planning to travel on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon should pay close attention to weather forecasts. If there is rain in the forecast, be prepared for a safety closure of I-70 due to the potential for debris flow, mudslide and rockfall. CDOT recommends picking an alternate route in case the canyon closes. Please refer to COtrip.org for the latest road conditions and route options. Motorists should be wary of using GPS navigation apps for searching alternate routes, since not all platforms provide up-to-date information. Travelers should avoid using county or forest roads as alternate routes, as road conditions may not be favorable. CDOT also recommends that travelers bring an emergency kit, with water, snacks, a flashlight and a blanket, as mountain conditions often change suddenly in the fall season.

CDOT: Preparing travelers for I-70 in Glenwood Canyon (fall 2020)

Motorists should prepare for reduced speeds, no stopping in the canyon and safety closures due to debris flow and other weather-related events. CDOT also urges travelers to stay focused on the road and avoid distracted driving. If there is moderate, heavy or extreme rain in Glenwood Canyon over the Grizzly Creek burn scar, it is very likely there will be a debris flow, mudslides or rockfall. In order to maintain safety on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, CDOT has a plan in place for protecting the traveling public when there could be a debris flow, mudslides or rockfall. View info on the flash floods tab below to prepare for flash floods.

Safety closures and how to plan ahead

CDOT: Preparando a los viajeros para I-70 en Glenwood Canyon (otoño 2020)

Cierres por seguridad y cómo planificar

Glenwood Canyon construction, repairs

Construction for the I-70 Glenwood Canyon surface improvements projects have resumed on the westbound traffic deck between the Hanging Lake and No Name Tunnels. I-70 is open with one-lane of traffic open in each direction in the head to head detour pattern.

Traffic holds
Beginning August 26, at 11 a.m., Xcel Energy is performing helicopter operations to repair and replace damaged structures in Glenwood Canyon. During helicopter work, traffic will be stopped in both directions for approximately 15 minutes. Delays are anticipated. Helicopter work will take place Mondays through Saturdays from approximately 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. The number of helicopter trips will vary based on the work crews are doing and weather impacts, but can include approximately one flight each hour. Read more below on travel through Glenwood Canyon.

* Travelers must plan for likely closures due to mudslides and other events and lower speed limits.
* Remember to use both lanes to the merge point, give your full attention to the road, and watch for fire and emergency vehicles.
* Travelers are urged to pay close attention to weather forecasts. Although the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has carefully reviewed the hazards affecting I-70 in Glenwood Canyon, the roadway is a changing environment. Even minimal amounts of rain could trigger mudslides, debris flows or rockslides in the burn area.
* Travelers will not be able to stop in Glenwood Canyon while traveling on I-70. Rest areas in the canyon will be closed and motorists will not be able to use exit ramps. I-70 is too narrow to allow stopped vehicles along the roadway and Colorado State Patrol troopers will assist in watching for motorists who attempt to stop.

Repairs in Glenwood Canyon
Recovery from the Grizzly Creek Fire will require additional traffic impacts in Glenwood Canyon to repair and replace damaged infrastructure, which includes several Xcel transmission power lines, rockfall netting, burn damage from fallen trees, concrete guardrail, and concrete damage.

CDOT is working closely with the Grizzly Creek Incident Management Team and Xcel Energy to coordinate and minimize traffic impacts to I-70 in Glenwood Canyon.

To address damage from the Grizzly Creek Fire, it is anticipated that the westbound deck will remain closed for the remainder of construction. After rest areas are safe to reopen, westbound traffic leaving Shoshone and Grizzly Creek will have to use the Bair Ranch detour for access to westbound I-70. This means westbound traffic leaving Shoshone or Grizzly Creek will be routed to use the eastbound I-70 on-ramp at Grizzly Creek then will continue to Bair Ranch for access to westbound I-70.

Travelers will not be able to stop in Glenwood Canyon while traveling on I-70. Rest areas in the canyon will be closed and motorists will not be able to use exit ramps. I-70 is too narrow to allow stopped vehicles along the roadway and Colorado State Patrol troopers will assist in watching for motorists who attempt to stop. The Glenwood Canyon bike path is also closed at this time. Rafting, kayaking and other river recreation activities are not allowed on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon at this time. Fortunately, construction activities are still on track to be completed in October 2020.

Bike path and rest areas (No Name, Grizzly Creek, Shoshone, Bair Ranch)
The Glenwood Canyon Bike Path remains closed between approximately Dotsero (Mile Point 133) and the No Name Tunnels (MP 117.6). All rest areas and river put-ins in Glenwood Canyon also remain closed due to rockfall and other hazards. There is no estimated time of reopening.

Recreational river access
All river recreation activities on the Colorado River in Glenwood Canyon have been suspended to support ongoing firefighting activities.

Flash floods

Prepare now
Gather supplies in case of a storm, strengthen your home against damage, and review your insurance coverages.

Flood insurance
Remember: it typically takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so get your policy now. Only flood insurance covers flood damage. Most standard homeowner’s policies do not cover flood damage.

Plan ahead
Plan evacuation routes. Keep important papers in a safe, waterproof place. Conduct a home inventory; itemize and take pictures of possessions.

Where to turn for air updates and the smoke outlook from local fires

The good news is that the air quality in Garfield County has returned to healthy levels and we can once again open our windows, enjoy outdoor recreational activities, and feel good about the mountain air we breathe.

However, it doesn't have to take a wildfire to find out about the day's air quality. You can see real-time air data anytime on the Garfield County Air page as well as on a few other great resource pages listed below. In addition, the EPA has a new website for Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) with great information for any future smoke events.

Visit the Environmental Health air quality page for real-time data on air quality and information on how to stay healthy during a wildfire smoke advisory.

Public Health Recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors. This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.

Where to watch for information
Garfield County air quality monitors continue to provide real-time and 24-hour air quality information.
https://fire.airnow.gov/
Garfield County air monitoring webpage
State air quality health advisory page
EPA site on wildfires and indoor air quality (IAQ)

Low-cost, community-based PurpleAir sensors along the I-70 corridor

About PurpleAir:
Low-cost sensors, such as PurpleAir, can be used as an indicator of elevated levels of particulates in the air and help by adding data coverage in areas where there are not permanent regulatory monitors.

Public Health advises setting the default to a “one day average” rather than “10-minute average” because being exposed to moderate to heavy smoke for a short-term period may not have the same health impacts as being exposed for a full 24-hours.

It is important to understand that these low-cost sensors are not considered accurate enough to be used in regulatory action. These sensors are not a reference method nor approved by EPA for compliance with federal air quality standards.

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COMUNICADO DE PRENSA

26 de agosto, 2020

La Calidad del Aire en el Condado de Garfield ha Mejorado: Entre Bueno y Moderado

Espere "buena" calidad de aire hoy en todo el Condado de Garfield con la posibilidad de una calidad "moderada" a veces

Vea pronósticos sobre el humo relacionados con la actividad de incendios forestales a continuación:

Grizzly Creek: https://www.facebook.com/GrizzlyCreekFireCO/
Pine Gulch: https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/WesternColorado

Dónde buscar información
Incendio Grizzly Creek Página con Información sobre Humo
Incendio Pine Gulch Página con Información sobre Humo
Página Web de Monitoreo de Aire del Condado Garfield
Página Estatal de Avisos de Salud Sobre la Calidad del Aire
Sensores PurpleAir comunitarios a lo largo del interestatal 70

*Nuevo* Sitio del Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA, por sus siglas en Inglés) sobre sobre Incendios Forestales y La Calidad de Aire Interior (IAQ, por sus siglas en Inglés)

Sobre PurpleAir:
Los sensores de bajo costo, como PurpleAir, se pueden usar como indicadores de niveles elevados de partículas en el aire y ayudan a agregar cobertura de datos en áreas donde no hay monitores permanentes.

Salud Pública sugiere establecer el valor predeterminado en un "promedio de un día" en lugar de un "promedio de 10 minutos" porque estar expuesto a humo moderado a denso durante un período corto puede no tener los mismos impactos en la salud que estar expuesto durante 24 horas completas.

Es importante comprender que estos sensores de bajo costo no se consideran lo suficientemente precisos para ser utilizados en acciones regulatorias. Estos sensores no son un método de referencia ni están aprobados por la EPA para cumplir con los estándares federales de calidad del aire.

Stage 1 fire restrictions

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect for unincorporated Garfield County, White River National Forest, BLM lands Fire restrictions -|

Grizzly Creek disaster loans available

A free info session for businesses, nonprofits, and support organizations impacted by Colorado wildfire in 2020 takes place at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 28. Join the Colorado District SBA and the SBA Disaster Loan Center for an overview of the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) available for businesses. Discussion will also include the overlapping disaster declarations for the region, including loans for the economic impact of drought and COVID-19.

This Grizzly Creek disaster declaration applies to the counties of Garfield, Eagle, Mesa, Pitkin, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties in Colorado.
Grizzly Creek disaster loans info session registration

Assistance for evacuees

Red Cross 970-406-0641
Lift-Up 509-432-6068
Mexican consulate Asistencia por Mexicans: 303-667-8657 – 24/7

Glenwood Springs resources

Help with livestock or pets

Grizzly Creek Fire:
If residents need help with moving livestock, or a place for pets to be safe during evacuation they may call 970-471-2635.

Animal services:
If residents need help with moving livestock, or a place for pets to be safe during evacuation, call 970-244-1835.

This coordination is being done with the assistance of Garfield County Emergency Management for both fires.

Garfield County Fairgrounds
Garfield County Fairgrounds is housing animals – call 970-625-2514 during the day, or 970-309-4341 for after hours assistance at the fairgrounds.

Donation information

While we appreciate the generosity of the community, the firefighters are taken care of. They are currently in remote areas and will be "spiking out" in those areas to reduce exposure to large groups of people. They are prepared to be self-sufficient for several days and any additional supplies will be taken care of by our great logistics staff. They have food, water, sports drinks, snacks and hygiene supplies, and adhere to strict diets designed to provide the calories & nutrients necessary for strenuous work.
If you have items ready to donate, local volunteer fire departments might appreciate support. Additionally, consider donating to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, which provides assistance to fallen firefighters’ families & to firefighters injured in the line of duty.
Please understand:
We are unable to accept physical donations right now;
We don't have the capacity to handle, store, and manage goods or volunteers;
We are still trying to limit interactions and surface touches due to COVID-19;
Cash donations are the best way to help. To make a donation, please contact:
American Red Cross

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Información de donación

Apreciamos la generosidad de la comunidad y entendemos que la gente quiere ayudar, sepa que nuestros socorristas y las personas evacuadas están siendo atendidos a través de organizaciones como la Cruz Roja, el Salvation Army y Lift-Up.
Por lo tanto, nos gustaría que por favor comprenda lo siguiente:
No podemos aceptar donaciones físicas (bienes) en este momento;
No tenemos la capacidad de personal que ayudar a manejar, almacenar y administrar bienes o voluntarios.
Todavía estamos tratando de limitar las interacciones y el contacto con superficies debido a COVID-19
Las donaciones en efectivo son la mejor manera de ayudar en este momento. Para hacer una donación, comuníquese con cualquiera de las siguientes organizaciones:
Cruz Roja Americana