| Contacts: | Lynn Barclay: 970-826-5096 |
Northwest Colorado wildfire update (07-22-10)
Craig, CO – No new wildfires were reported today. Fire crews were able to make good progress on the uncontained incidents with the help of higher relative humidity and cloud cover. No single engine air tankers or heavy air tankers were needed today for retardant drops. A fixed wing aircraft was used for reconnaissance purposes.
The Logging Fire is 1,144 acres on the east side of Douglas Mountain in Moffat County. It is 80% contained with full containment anticipated for Thursday evening. Remaining on the fire are three hand crews, one water tender and one helicopter.
The Reed Fire was mapped at 475 acres and is 75% contained. If conditions hold fire personnel are expecting to have this fire contained later this evening. Working this fire is one hand crew, three engines and one water tender.
The East Fork Fire is 657 acres and full containment is expected this evening. It started Monday afternoon and is about ten miles south of Elk Springs, Moffat County.
Twin Buttes Fire is holding at 145 acres. There has been no additional perimeter growth the past few days. It is being allowed to naturally burn to benefit area resources. The Nature Conservancy Wildfire Module is assigned to this incident and assessing long term fire affects and rehabilitation considerations. This incident is 25 miles southwest of Rangely; Rio Blanco County on BLM managed land.
All fires reported yesterday in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties were lightning caused.
No structures are directly threatened.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
455 Emerson Street Craig, CO 81625