Officials battling the Aspen Acres fire Tuesday are patrolling problem areas, a day after hot, dry conditions tested defenses along the fire’s western boundary.
High temperatures and falling humidity levels fueled growth on the Aspen Acres fire Monday, but the fire remained within areas firefighters had prepared to contain it, Ben Wagner, Northern Rockies Team 6 operations section chief, said Tuesday morning. Heavy air tankers were reassigned from other parts of the fire to help crews on the western side of the blaze.
The fire burning in Pueblo and Custer counties has scorched about 101,546 acres and is the largest active wildfire in Colorado.
Crews saw increased fire activity north of Millset Ridge near Rye on Monday afternoon, prompting officials to reinstate mandatory evacuation orders for parts of Custer County.
The fire made a run up toward the ridge, but stayed within the primary control line, Wagner said.
The fire also became more active Monday farther north, near Saint Charles Peak, but fire managers don’t expect the fire to jump control lines Tuesday with cooler temperatures and crews and aircraft working in the area, he said.
The National Interagency Fire Center map shows wildfires burning in Colorado.
Hartman Hill fire
Crews made “significant progress” on the Hartman Hill fire Monday with the help of two helicopters and three air tankers flying over the 26-acre wildfire in Grand County. The fire was 20% contained as of Monday night.
Pre-evacuation orders were still in effect Tuesday morning in parts of Grand County and Eagle County.
Gold Mountain fire
Fire activity continues to decrease on the Gold Mountain fire near Ouray that officials said was 24% contained Tuesday morning. The boost in containment — up from 13% Monday — was the result of no fire growth in the last five days along the southern perimeter.
Crews are extinguishing any remaining sources of heat along the fire’s western flank, according to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2. Another team is constructing a fireline away from the main fire in East Fork Cimarron Creek and putting hoses and sprinklers in the area.
Monsoonal moisture is expected to bring a half inch of rain or more over parts of the fire over the next two days, which will help suppression efforts.
Ferris fire
Crews are working on rehabilitating areas that were damaged while suppressing the 64,881-acre Ferris fire in Dolores County. As of Tuesday morning, the fire was 91% contained.
The repair work aims to reduce burn scar risks, like flash flooding and mudslides, by restoring ditches and repairing contingency lines with heavy machinery.
“The fire area still includes many hazards, including the potential for flash flooding, mud slides and fire-weakened trees,” the San Juan Incident Management Team No. 8 said.
Flash flooding risks will continue through Friday, before drier and warmer weather is expected over the fire area.
Willow fire
The Willow fire burning near Leadville is slowly consuming vegetation within an island in the Colorado Gulch area, but flames have not threatened control lines, fire officials said Tuesday morning.
The fire is still considered 41% contained and about 7,196 acres.
Firefighters are patrolling and removing hazardous trees around the Leadville National Fish Hatchery. The fire continues to smolder near Bald Mountain, near the fish hatchery and the southern portion of the fire and crews secure the fire’s edge.
Hotshot crews are working in higher, steeper terrain where the fire is moving toward high-elevation fuels.
As of Tuesday, nearly 800 personnel were assigned to the fire. Forty-two residents remain evacuated and 15 structures are still considered to be threatened from the fire.
A few thunderstorms and light rain moved over higher terrain Monday, fire managers said. The chance of rain is expected to increase Tuesday afternoon and continue through the rest of the week.
Fishhook fire
A new estimate by fire officials shows the Fishhook fire burning 313 acres in Routt County. The wildfire located about 8 miles southeast of Steamboat Springs is considered 13% contained — up from 8% Monday.
Crews contained the fire on the western side and will continue to patrol the area for remaining areas of heat that could spark a new fire, fire managers said. On the southern side, firefighters are making “excellent progress” extinguishing burning material and will continue to lay hose lines and portable pumps along the creeks to secure the fire’s edge, cool hot spots and prevent any potential growth.
Fire officials expect Tuesday to bring cooler temperatures, lighter winds and humidity levels near 30% in the afternoon. There is a 95% chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday, which will support suppression efforts.
U.S. 40 remains open, but drivers should be aware of increased fire traffic, fire managers said.
Elk fire
More than 430 personnel are assigned to the Elk fire burning about 7 miles northwest of Lake City as of Tuesday. The lightning-caused fire was estimated at 2,307 acres and 0% contained.
Crews will continue Tuesday to construct and improve firelines on the north, east and south sides of the fire, while protecting structures along Colorado 149 and around Lake City.
“Overall the fire hasn’t moved in the last few days and that’s due to the weather coming in and we expect that weather to continue through the week,” Chad Rowland, planning operations trainee with Northwest Incident Management Team 8 said in a video briefing. “So that provides us enough time to really fortify these control lines.”
Mandatory evacuation orders in Hinsdale County were reduced to pre-evacuation status Tuesday morning. To get the latest information on evacuation orders, visit websites for Hinsdale and Gunnison counties.
This is a developing story that will be updated.