RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. — Evacuations remain in place southwest of Meeker as the PL Gulch Fire continues to burn in Rio Blanco County. As of Thursday morning, the fire is 1,580 acres in size and 95% contained.
Below you'll find the latest updates on the fire.
Wednesday, July 22
In an operation update, Operations Section Chief Doug Cupp said management of the fire will be turned over to the local unit at 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 23.
In a video posted to the fire's Facebook page, Cupp said firefighters have completed work on Division Alpha to determine whether any fire starts could happen. A small section in that division was not yet ready to be determined as "fully contained" due to potential weather hazards that may put that fire line at risk.
In Division Zulu, Cupp said crews have started to repair a dozer line so that they can mitigate runoff or flow risks.
He said Wednesday's update would be the last one unless conditions changed.
Monday, July 20
Despite Sunday’s heavy rains in Meeker and the surrounding area, minimal rain fell on the fire, according to the latest operational update.
Crews in Division Z and Division D were able to complete the direct handline on the western edge of the fire, ensuring a handline around the entire fire perimeter. These crews also began installing hose lines along the break to help with mop-up. These crews also began installing hose lines along the break to help with mop-up, fire officials said.
On Sunday morning, a National Infrared Operations (NIROPS) flight identified multiple small spot fires around the fire perimeter. Firefighters were able to locate and/or install handlines around each location.
Residences that were previously evacuated have been moved to pre-evacuation notices, they added.
County Road 5 is open and we ask all motorists, and equipment operators, to use extreme caution and drive slowly when traveling through the area (from mile marker 18 to 23.5 on County Road 5).
Soft roadblocks will remain on County Road 5 at the intersection with County Road 3 (CR 3) and all of County Road 76 (CR 76).
Saturday, July 18
Rain fell Friday over the PL Gulch Fire burning in Rio Blanco County, simultaneously aiding firefighting efforts and bringing safety concerns, the incident management team wrote in a Saturday morning update.
"Containment lines were challenged by gusty and erratic winds, but held nicely," the update said.
The fire is currently burning 1,580 acres and is 15% contained.
The blaze, which fire officials said was human-caused, was reported at around 12:30 p.m. Monday approximately 20 miles southwest of Meeker, off of County Road 76, according to a spokesperson with the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office.
Friday, July 17
Evacuations remain in place southwest of Meeker as the PL Gulch Fire burning in Rio Blanco County grew to 1,580 acres by Friday morning.
Residents along both sides of County Road 5, from mile marker 22 to mile marker 18 (County Road 3, the paved road) still don't know when they will be allowed back home after mandatory evacuations were issued on Tuesday, July 14, as the PL Gulch Fire grew exponentially due to windy conditions.
Officials have been in contact with the people believed to have caused the blaze, and said they were cooperating fully with the investigation into the how the fire started.
On Friday, fire officials said the Colorado Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed management of the fire earlier in the morning.
Fire crews will be working the secure a road as a holding feature, building handlines with the intent of tying into County Road 5, assessing the possibility of an indirect line to tie into County Road 5, and assess access and looking at both direct and indirect options to battle the blaze.
The fire was reported burning in grass, brush, juniper and pinyon fuels, with initial attack efforts including ground personnel and aerial resources.
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Power was shut off in the County Road 3 and County Road 76 area, and fire officials said those power outages could also affect residents along County Road 5.
County Road 76 was closed to all traffic so firefighters could safely work in putting out the blaze. County Road 5 was also closed from mile marker 22 to mile marker 18 due to fire activity, deputies said.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported the PL Gulch Fire was 15% contained, according to the Friday information reported by WatchDuty.
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