Crews battling the Aspen Acres fire are taking further steps Wednesday to protect the community of Rye, including plans for a prescribed burn that could create new smoke over the fire’s southwestern flank.
The prescribed burn plan — which hinges on the weather — comes after days of volatility in the area, including a 100-acre growth Monday when flames jumped a primary containment line and spread, officials said in a written update.
Hotshot crews were attacking “the direct edge” of the fire in the area, known as Division Bravo, aided by water from heavy equipment, Ben Wagner, Rocky Mountain Northern Rockies Team No. 6 operations section chief, said in a video briefing.
“We’re going to keep smashing Division Bravo so we can really get that line buttoned up and make sure that we can keep the community of Rye safe,” Wagner said.
Teams were also working to extinguish hot spots where the fire spread Monday, before it was stopped within a secondary containment line.
Emergency and highway crews were keeping an eye on Thursday thunderstorm projections across the state for more potential flooding and mudslides. But CDOT announced Thursday morning it was able to fully reopen both directions of Interstate 70 between New Castle, Mile Point 105, and Silt, MP 97, after heavy flooding July 20 sent mud and rocks across lanes.
One eastbound lane was opened July 22 at 6 a.m. after 24-hour clearing work, and a westbound lane at 4:30 p.m. the same day. After working again through the night, crews opened the second lane in each direction by 4:30 a.m. Thursday.
The Aspen Acres fire southwest of Pueblo remains the largest in the state, and the seventh largest in state history, at 101,546 acres. It is estimated to be 61% contained.
Heavy machinery and firefighting aircraft continued supporting crews working along the fire’s western perimeter Tuesday to slow areas of growth. Fire activity also increased near the community of San Isabel but stayed within defensive lines.
A remote camp stocked with food and supplies is being established near San Isabel to support firefighters working in the area.
On the eastern side of the fire, crews patrolled the perimeter and responded to smoke reports near homes in repopulated areas, while continuing efforts to cool remaining hot spots.
An increased chance of rain Wednesday was likely to calm fire activity. Rain is possible through the end of the week, bringing the risk of flooding in burned areas.
The National Interagency Fire Center map shows wildfires burning in Colorado.
Hartman Hill fire
The 26-acre Hartman Hill fire burning near the border of Grand and Eagle counties was declared fully contained at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Grand County Sheriff’s Office announced on X.
Fire personnel will remain on scene Thursday and Friday monitoring the area and dousing hot spots. The sheriff’s office determined that a lightning strike caused the fire.
As of Wednesday evening, all pre-evacuations in Grand and Eagle counties were lifted.
Gold Mountain fire
Atmospheric moisture continues to tamp down flames at the Gold Mountain fire north of Ouray, which is estimated at 38,044 acres and 24% contained, officials said Wednesday.
Crews are using the lull to shore up defenses around structures in the fire’s path, including by fortifying containment lines with heavy equipment and hand tools.
In the East Fork drainage, firefighters are clearing brush along the creek bottom and installing pumps, sprinklers and hoses to wet the valley bottom, seeking to protect an ecologically sensitive area.
Monsoonal rains are expected Wednesday and Thursday, and though high winds from thunderstorms could fuel new smoldering and creeping, fire officials are anticipating minimal growth.
The rain could bring potential flash flooding, however, presenting additional hazards for firefighters and the public.
Temperatures are expected to begin rising again Friday.
Ferris fire
Thunderstorms brought an abrupt halt to efforts to tame the Ferris fire Tuesday afternoon, prompting crews to withdraw from the firelines and seek shelter.
Heavy rain led to flash flooding in Lone Dome State Wildlife Area, on the fire’s northern boundary, officials said Tuesday evening in the most recent update on Facebook.
“When severe thunderstorms are forecast, operations prioritize firefighter safety,” the statement said. “Relocating crews away from hazards is a standard safety measure to protect personnel and assets, especially in high-risk weather conditions.”
The fire is estimated at 64,881 acres and 94% contained, according to Inciweb.
Willow fire
The footprint of the 7,196-acre Willow fire west of Leadville remains unchanged Wednesday after gusty winds tested fire lines, officials said in a statement. The fire is considered 48% contained, up from 41%.
Crews on Tuesday completed fireline construction and conducted a prescribed burn in the Bald Eagle Mountain area. In the Halfmoon Creek area, on the fire’s southern flank, crews are continuing to fortify firelines.
Officials also reported continuing progress building up fire breaks in the Mount Massive Wilderness, and mop up is underway near the Leadville National Fish Hatchery.
Showers and thunderstorms are possible each afternoon through the end of the week, with Thursday expected to be the most critical day.
“A considerable amount of rain will be needed to improve dry conditions,” officials said in a statement.
Fishhook fire
Fire officials reported sweeping gains on the 309-acre Fishhook fire southeast of Steamboat Springs on Wednesday, as containment jumped to 58% from 13% on Tuesday. All pre-evacuation warnings have been lifted.
Crews will continue to shore up defenses along the perimeter Wednesday. A drone equipped with infrared technology will be used to scan the interior, allowing firefighters to locate and extinguish hot spots while clearing out dangerous snags and removing hoses and pumps from areas where they are no longer needed.
Monsoonal rains could arrive Wednesday and Thursday, further aiding the firefight with widespread showers, cooler temperatures and rising humidity.
The incident management team said it is preparing to release resources as they are no longer needed, in preparation for transitioning to “a smaller organization in the days ahead.”
Elk fire
Fire crews on the Elk fire north of Lake City are keeping a close eye on the potential for severe storms as they work on building containment lines along the northern, southern and western sides of the fire.
National Weather Service forecasters have issued a severe weather watch from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 3 a.m. Thursday, noting the potential for heavy rain showers.
“Those could cause flash floods that could greatly impact operations, so we’re going to pull our firefighters back to safe roads and then just kind of stage there,” Chad Rowland, an operations section chief trainee with Northwest Incident Management Team 8, said in a video update.
An initial attack crew is set up and ready to respond to any new starts from lightning, Rowland said.
The fire is estimated at 2,307 acres, and 0% contained, with a total of 402 personnel.
This is a developing story that may be updated.