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, was 700 acres and 40 percent contained on Wednesday. It is burning on both Bureau of Land Management and on the San Juan National Forest 10 miles northeast of Dove Creek. The wildfire is burning in ponderosa pine and gamble oak forests along the east rim of the Dolores River Canyon.
It is west of Forest Road 504.T and 220, north of Mountain Sheep Point and east of the Dolores River.
Although no road or area closures currently are in effect, the Forest Service said in the news release that roads may be closed as fire conditions warrant. Public driving on these roads should use caution, drive with their lights on and watch for firefighters and firefighting equipment, the Forest Service said.
Fire crews have used a combination of indirect line construction, burnout operations and full suppression tactics to manage the fire. 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 reduced resources on the fire. At one point, 77 people were assigned to the fire, and as of Monday, 28 were assigned.
The East Rim Fire is 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 increase,d and we have scaled back the resources needed for this fire,” said Patrick Seekins, Dolores District fire management officer.
Weather forecasts this week include 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.
There currently are no fire restrictions on the San Juan National Forest, but 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.
For regular updates on San Juan National Forest news, please follow the forest on Twitter @SanJuanNF. Local forest fire reports can be seen at www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
