Containment Increases on the East Rim Fire
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DOLORES, Colo. – Over the past few days, containment on the East Rim Fire has increased, although the number of acres has also increased. The fire, started from lightning on July 2, 2017, is currently 689 acres and 25 percent contained. The East Rim Fire is burning on both Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service managed lands.
The East Rim Fire is located ten miles northeast of Dove Creek, along the east rim of the Dolores River Canyon. The fire is west of U.S. Forest Service Road 504.T and 220, north of Mountain Sheep Point and east of the Dolores River.
Although there are currently no road or area closures in effect in this area, the public is advised that there may be closures as fire conditions warrant. Public driving on these roads should use caution, drive with their lights on and watch for firefighters and firefighting equipment traveling these same roads.
Crews have used a combination of indirect line construction, burnout operations and full suppression tactics to manage the fire appropriately. When appropriate, crews have strengthened fire lines on the north and south with burnout operations. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up existing fire lines.
While containment of the fire has increased, officials have looked to adjust the amount of assigned resources as appropriate. At one point, 77 people were assigned to the fire on a single day, and today there are 28 are assigned. Along with personnel resources, equipment needs are also being assessed and released as appropriate. The East Rim Fire is currently being managed by a Type IV Incident Commander with the BLM Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit.
“Over the past few days, fire weather has moderated and our containment on the East Rim has increased and we have scaled back the resources needed for this fire,” said Patrick Seekins, Dolores District Fire Management Officer. “As we have scaled back the resources needed for this fire, and will continue to make adjustments as needed for appropriate and effective management.”
Forecasted weather early this week includes a possible increase of moisture, however anticipated dry thunderstorms are still expected to bring lightning to the area. With low humidity levels and low levels of fuel moisture in the area, this means that new fire starts are possible.
While there are currently no fire restrictions on the San Juan National Forest, Stage 1 fire restrictions have been implemented on the BLM Tres Rios Field Office lands. For current information on BLM restrictions, call 970-882-7296. For information on current fire restrictions throughout Colorado, please visit the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management website at: http://www.coemergency.com/p/
For more information, contact Sarah Gracey at 502-229-1383.
For regular updates on San Juan National Forest news, please follow us on TWITTER @SanJuanNF. We also post these news releases on our Website at: www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
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.