A wildfire nine miles east of Dove Creek in the Dolores River Canyon remains at 115 acres, the Bureau of Land Management said Tuesday in a news release.
The Secret Canyon Fire was started by lightning on Aug. 26, and is smoldering in oak brush and piñon-juniper forests.
Recent precipitation helped firefighters secure containment lines, Chris Asbjorn said, though smoke may be visible as remaining fuels smolder on steep, inaccessible slopes. About 60 firefighters, including hand crews, five fire engines, a water tender and a helicopter, initially were assigned to the fire as it burned near private property, power lines and oil and gas facilities.
Steep, rugged terrain made access difficult for ground crews as they worked to secure a fire perimeter.
In the first few days of the firefighting effort, a helicopter dropped water on portions of the fire.
Fire managers planned to use natural barriers, existing roads, and previous fuels reduction projects to minimize fire growth. Roll-outs – burning vegetation that rolls down the canyon – helped spread the fire.
Currently, no area closures have been announced, and no structures were threatened. No injuries were reported, but the fire occurred in prime habitat for the endangered Gunnison sage grouse.
