Firefighters Responding to Fire North of Loma
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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Federal fire officials from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are responding to a 20-acre fire 25 miles north of Loma in remote steep terrain.
The Barrel Springs Fire was discovered Tuesday burning in predominately oak brush and juniper on Bureau of Land Management, managed lands. No structures are currently threatened. Lightning strikes were recorded Saturday in the area but the cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
BLM and fire officials are managing the fire for resource objectives; therefore, smoke may be visible for some time. The Garfield County fire is located in highly remote terrain east of Douglas Pass. Fire officials warn those recreating in the area to avoid Barrel Springs until the fire is no longer burning.
“Wildland fire is a natural occurrence and can be beneficial to the ecosystem,” said Jeremy Spetter, UCR West Zone assistant fire management officer. “The remoteness of the fire allows us to manage this fire for specific benefits and firefighter safety.”
The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit is composed of the BLM Silt and Grand Junction Field Offices; White River National Forest; and the Colorado National Monument. It encompasses millions of acres oriented along the Interstate 70 corridor from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line.
For more information, contact Chris Joyner, (970) 210-2126.
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.