HINSDALE COUNTY, Colo. — Firefighters battling the Elk Fire burning in northern Hinsdale County in the Uncompahgre Wilderness are making progress on the blaze, officials announced Friday.
The Elk Fire is now 2,317 acres in size and is 49% contained, according to the latest update from the incident management team overseeing fire operations on the blaze.
A map of the evacuation zones can be viewed here.
Fire officials said Friday fire growth is virtually at a standstill.
Firefighting equipment such as hoses, pumps, and tools were removed from the established containment lines near Elk Creek, a process often referred to as backhauling. That equipment was helicoptered back to the Elk Fire Spike Camp staging area to be cleaned, rehabilitated, and returned to the local cache for future use.
Heavy equipment and operators continue to support suppression repair operations on the 7868 Road while handcrews are working alongside, clearing brush and wood debris from roads used as fireline in Division A.
Fire managers are evaluating the area east of the fire to determine when and where to remove proactively placed water-delivery structure protection equipment.
Division X is unstaffed at the south end of the fire, as County Road 20 is utilized as line and does not require suppression repair. Firefighters and aircraft support are still available to respond to any new fire starts as needed.
Warmer temperatures and afternoon humidities will trend drier over the weekend, with only a stray shower or thunderstorm possible.
Residents were advised to follow the the Hinsdale County Facebook page for the latest evacuation information and sign up to receive emergency notifications through the Hinsdale County Emergency Management website.
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“Due to the fire’s location, the inability to safely access it by ground, and the high risk associated with emergency extraction or medical evacuation, firefighters are using indirect suppression tactics around the perimeter of the fire,” said an official with the U.S. Forest Service.
Closures
Areas west of Highway 149 in Hinsdale and Gunnison counties that fall under National Forest Service lands are closed to the public. More specifically, the following areas are closed:
- Big Blue Trailhead
- Big Blue Campground
- Alpine Ranger Station
- Uncompahgre Peak
- Alpine Trailhead
- Alpine/Little Cimarron Trailhead
- Crystal Larson Trailhead
- Fall Creek Trailhead
- Independence Trailhead
- Little Elk Trailhead, and
- Nellie Creek Trailhead
The Bureau of Land Management Gunnison Field Office has also implemented a temporary emergency closure for public lands within Gunnison and Hinsdale Counties. The temporary closure applies to BLM-administered public lands within the Gunnison Field Office, specifically in areas east of Colorado State Highway 149 and north of Hinsdale County Road 20. This closure is in addition to existing closures and restrictions currently in place.
Highway 149 remains open, but motorists should expect increased firefighter traffic and a reduced speed limit in the area. Please slow down and use caution when traveling through the incident area.
The fire was first reported on July 9, burning in remote, rugged wilderness terrain. It remains 0% contained, according to the latest update from the U.S. Forest Service.
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