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Beaver Creek Fire - Firefighters Prepare Structures In Advance of Increasing Fire Danger
Release Date: Jun 26, 2016
Contact: Public Information Office
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Blue
Information Line: 307-223-2291
Media Information Line: 307-223-2220
Hours 8am-8pm
(WALDEN, Colo.) June 26, 2016 – The Beaver Creek Fire remained active overnight in pockets of unburned fuels in the interior of the fire. Firefighters mopped up smoldering vegetation near structures and continued to prepare structures further in advance of the fire. Fire crews remain diligent attacking spot fires and constructing firelines reducing fuels available to burn.
A mild cold front remains in the area and the humidity continues to decrease making fuels more susceptible to fire. Temperatures today will range from 75-80F and light 10 mph northwest winds are expected. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible.
Structure preparation remains a focus for firefighters. Preparation in advance of the fire includes fuel reduction and removal, setting of sprinklers around structures and burn out operations. Sprinkler systems connect to a pump and then to a water source near structures. When the fire approaches they are activated to increase humidity. As the humidity decreases, fuels are more receptive to the fire. Burn out operations remove available fuels near structures to increase defensible space. When burn out operations are used, firefighters proactively engage in thorough mop up activities and patrolling for any remaining embers and hot spots.
Fireline and contingency lines are also a focus of firefighters. Dozers are being used to remove fuel and create breaks and safe zones on or near the fire’s edge. Helicopters are using water to cool and extinguish hot spots and spot fires. As heavy equipment builds safe zones for fire operations, Incident Commander Jay Esperance challenged firefighters during morning briefing to acknowledge the risks of their job. “Do what you can do, share your knowledge of what you are doing and the risk associated with fighting wildland fires. Don’t become a part of the 18.6 of wildland firefighters killed annually on average actively fighting fire.”
As afternoon winds pick up smoke will become visible to surrounding communities however, burned acreage remains 5482 acres. This fire continues to be heavily influenced by weather and beetle killed trees. Fire location is approximately 15 miles northwest of Walden, Colorado and two miles south of the Colorado/Wyoming state line.
Forty residences or cabins remain at risk. Concerned cabin owners or local residents should contact the Jackson County Sheriff's Department at (970) 723-4242. Structure damage/loss information will be provided by the Sheriff.
Closures remain in place and specific information can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4797/.
The cause of the Beaver Creek Fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information on suspicious activity should contact U.S. Forest Service Officer Hannah Nadeau, 307-343-2335.
Official information on the fire is being disseminated via Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4797/.
Information will also be posted on Twitter at: @FS_MBRTB, hashtag #BeaverCreekFire. Facebook: Beaver Creek Fire