Resources working the Derby Fire 15 miles north of Dotsero

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – Fire resources are working the Derby Fire about 15 miles north of Dotsero in remote, rugged terrain on the White River National Forest today. The fire is currently estimated at 25 acres and growing. 

The small lightning-ignited fire was detected on a steep cliff above the West Fork of Red Dirt Creek late yesterday morning, and four smoke jumpers responded. A medium helicopter aided them most of today. When fire activity picked up from burning debris rolling down the steep terrain this afternoon, an additional four heavy helicopters, one type 3 helicopter and Air Attack fixed wing arrived. 

A type 3 incident commander will assume command of the fire tonight. Firefighters are assessing options in this remote area with substantial fuel. The fire is close to the Flat Tops Wilderness and there are no immediate threats to structures.

The White River National Forest remains under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions, meaning no fires are allowed on National Forest System lands. The fire order and specific restrictions are available under “alerts” at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver. 

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The Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR) includes Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighting resources that cover 5.8 million acres along the Interstate 70, Colorado River and Roaring Fork River corridors from the Continental Divide to the Utah state line. The UCR includes the White River National Forest and the BLM’s Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction field offices. The UCR cooperates with other federal and state agencies, local communities, and fire departments on a wide range of activities including fuels treatments, fire prevention, and suppression.