Progress made on Blowout Fire

GRAND JUNCTION— Crews worked through the night, gaining the upper-hand on the Blowout Fire located south of the town of Palisade and near Horse Mountain, which lies at the base of the western end of the Grand Mesa. Now set at 426 acres in size and not expected to grow, the wildfire is about 75 percent contained.

“The Incident Commander is estimating 100 percent containment by 8 p.m. Friday night,” UCR West Zone Fire Management Officer Tim Foley said. “We mobilized significant resources to fight this blaze, and that decision is paying off.”

Resources on scene currently include six engine crews, one water tender, the Roosevelt Hot Shots and the Juniper Valley Type-2 crew from Rifle. The Globe Hot Shots joined ground crews today in constructing fire lines. Two helicopters have also been supporting today’s efforts, but given the progress crews are making, the Type-2 helicopter will be released this evening. Use of the two single-engine air tankers (SEAT) and one heavy air tanker was suspended this morning after heavy retardant lines held through Wednesday night, assisting in the protection of the town of Palisade and Grand Junction’s watersheds located above the fire.

The Mesa County Wildfire Team and Upper Colorado River (UCR) Fire Management Unit personnel are focusing on digging fire line and locating hot spots, while the Palisade Volunteer Fire Department and Central Orchard Mesa Fire District are working to protect nearby homes still considered threatened by the fire.

The fire started late Tuesday night on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Fuel types burned are pinyon-juniper and grasses. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Access remains restricted, and the public is asked to avoid the area. No evacuations are anticipated.

Fuels are very dry this time of year and the potential for wildfire remains. The public is reminded that using fireworks is prohibited on federal land year-round, and everyone should use caution when camping this long, holiday weekend.

-BLM-