For Immediate Release July 22, 2004
Contact:  Steven Hall 970-244-3052

Saddle Mountain Fire may smoke for some time

MONTROSE, CO – The Saddle Mountain Fire three miles east of Crawford has been contained and should be controlled tomorrow, but smoke may still be visible from the fire for days and even weeks to come.

"Once we have controlled the fire, smokes in the interior may persist for some time. We won’t take action as long as they are within the interior area of the fire and not near the perimeter," Montrose Interagency Fire Management Officer Steve Ellis said. "We will continue to monitor the fire by air."

Two hundred firefighters worked on the Saddle Mountain Fire with no serious injuries, despite extremely rugged terrain. Protecting the safety of firefighters and the public is the first priority for fire suppression efforts.

  - BLM -