A restriction on boating on the western side of Blue Mesa Reservoir, where just days ago massive firefighting planes scooped up tons of water to fight the South Rim fire, has been lifted as crews reach more containment of the South Rim fire.
The 4,220 acre-wildfire burning in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is now 31% contained, Tyler Nathe, operations section chief with the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, said in a Monday morning video briefing.
Securing the fire perimeter on the eastern and southern sides is the firefighters’ priority now, Nathe said. Crews will also patrol the top of the fire to keep an eye on the values at risk.
“Overall, a lot of good work going in — a big thanks to the crews that are going out there and putting in that good hard work,” Nathe said. “Some tough country across the bottom here but we’re starting to look really good.”
People who were ordered to evacuate their homes due to the fire were allowed to return Monday, but were told to be ready to leave again, if necessary.
“While this is a positive step, we urge the public to remain alert and continue to exercise caution, as conditions can change quickly,” the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post.
The national park remains closed.
Meanwhile, crews on the night shift fighting the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw fires in Mesa County were busy with strategic firing operations to boost containment, fire officials said Monday morning.
Crews plan to start small, supervised fires to remove unburned fuels between the fire and fire lines, like roads, trails and hand lines, south and southeast of the fire.
Rain on Friday subdued the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw fires, both of which were sparked by lightning July 10, allowing firefighters to be more direct in their attack, fire officials said Sunday.
The Turner Gulch fire was 34% contained and the Wright Draw fire was at 51% contained as of Monday morning.
Crews are evaluating how to contain the steep, rocky section of the Turner Gulch fire that remains uncontained, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team said Sunday. The fire is estimated at 15,737 acres.
Helicopters continue to drop water on the northern side of the 466-acre Wright Draw fire “to keep the fire in check” while crews work to identify containment options, officials said. On Saturday, firefighters hiked up a section of the North Fork West Creek drainage but could not get to the top due to heavy brush. Bulldozers are improving existing roads and trails north of the fire in case the fire pushes to the north, officials said.
Crews aim to reach more containment utilizing UTV trails on the west side.
Two Hotshot crews, who were working on the South Rim fire, will join crews on the Wright Draw fire to help contain the eastern side of the fire, Operations Section Chief Rob Powell said in a Monday morning video briefing.
Even more progress was made on the Sowbelly fire burning 2,274 acres in the Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area, in Delta and Mesa counties.
The wildfire is now 70% contained, fire managers said. Crews are directly attacking the fire in the wilderness and continue to mop up hot spots and patrol the fireline.