For Immediate Release July 13, 2004
Contact:  Steven Hall 970-244-3052

Saddle Mountain Fire slowed by firefighters

MONTROSE, CO – Three heavy air tankers and four Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) dropped approximately 80,000 gallons of retardant on the Saddle Mountain Fire three miles east of Crawford yesterday, slowing the fire’s spread.

"The combination of air tanker and three helicopters knocked the fire down really well," Montrose Interagency Fire Management Officer Steve Ellis said.

A Type II incident management team assumed management of the fire this morning. The team will map the fire this morning. Firefighters estimate more than 400 acres have burned.

The Saddle Mountain Fire began on private property and spread onto adjacent Gunnison National Forest, climbing up the west side of Saddle Mountain before burning into the "saddle" on top of the mountain. The fire is burning in oak brush, Douglas-fir, aspen, pinyon and juniper forest.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Delta County Sheriff’s Department.

"Our firefighters are facing extremely tough terrain," said Ellis. "With possible thunderstorms forecast today, we may need to pull our firefighters off the higher elevations if we get lightning in the area."

Three P-3 Orion heavy air tankers capable of dropping 2,550 gallons of water or retardant per load have been operating on the Saddle Mountain Fire, along with four SEATs and three helicopters. In addition, a hotshot crew, the local Gunnison River hand crew, two Crawford Volunteer Fire Department engines and one Montrose Interagency fire engine are working the fire.

No evacuations have been ordered. One house is within one-hundred yards of the fire, with other structures located on three sides of Saddle Mountain.

- BLM -