Bull Gulch Fire grows little today
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EAGLE, Colo. — Higher humidity today helped moderate fire activity on the Bull Gulch Fire, burning on Bureau of Land Management lands in the remote Bull Gulch Wilderness Study Area. The fire grew only a few acres and is now estimated at 42 acres. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire and expect it to continue to grow over the next several days, depending on the amount of rain it receives.
Smoke may be visible in the afternoons from the Colorado River Road and along the Interstate 70 corridor, including Gypsum, Eagle and Edwards. The fire was ignited by lightning Sunday and is burning above the Colorado River Road in western Eagle County.
The fire is burning in sage and pinyon-juniper and is not threatening any structures or private lands. If the fire reaches pre-established action points, firefighters will begin to suppress it. A crew of four firefighters will continue monitoring the fire daily throughout the active burn period and will call in additional resources if necessary.
Because the naturally-ignited fire is burning in a remote wilderness study area and not threatening structures or other values, firefighters and land managers elected to closely monitor the fire, but to not immediately take suppressive actions. This keeps firefighter safety at the forefront, brings the benefits of natural fire to the ecosystem, and helps reduce fuel for future wildfires.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.