No Growth in Bull Gulch Fire, Mop-up Operations Expected Later Today
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CAÑON CITY, Colo. – Air and ground crews are making good progress in fighting the Bull Gulch Fire. No new significant growth from the fire. Fire crews expect to begin mop-up operations today. The fire is located nine miles northeast of Cotopaxi in Fremont County. It is burning in brush, piñon, juniper and ponderosa pine forests. A Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT) made a drop on the fire Thursday morning. Approximately 150 personnel are working on the fire.
No structures have been lost but the Texas Creek Trail system is closed. Approximately 30 residences within a three-mile radius of Snow Drift Lane were put on pre-evacuation notice late Wednesday. No other pre-evacuations or evacuations at this time. Please contact the Fremont County Sheriff’s office for any additional evacuation information.
The heavy smoke visible Thursday in the Cañon City area is not from the Bull Gulch Fire. Due to high fire activity throughout the state and wind direction, smoke has drifted in from the West Fork Fire Complex in the San Juan National Forest near Wolf Creek Pass.
The cause of the Bull Gulch Fire is unknown.
Bull Gulch Fire Statistics at a Glance:
- Time/Date Started: June 19, 2013 approximately 1 p.m.
- Location: Fremont County, Colorado
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Fuels: Piñon, Juniper, Ponderosa Pine
- Size: 150 acres
- Containment: 5%
- Resources committed: 150 personnel including four, 20-person hand crews, 12 person heli-repel crew, three helicopters, and two type 6 fire engines.
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