The following information on the Trail Springs and Mill Creek 2 fires was released Thursday morning.
Overview:
Firefighters worked both directly and indirectly to contain the Trail Springs Fire Wednesday — using hand tools, fire engines, drip torches and helicopters. Although the fire did continue to grow to the east, much of the smoke visible Wednesday was from strategic firing — fighting fire with fire. That work will continue today, conditions permitting. Minimal fire activity occurred on the Mill Creek 2 Fire for the second day in a row.
Trail Springs Fire | Size: 871 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning
Using drip torches on the ground and a helicopter, firefighters carefully “burned out” an area between previously prepared containment lines (roads and trails) and the burn scar left by this summer’s Chris Mountain Fire. This is being done to block the potential of additional fire spread to the northeast, towards private property. At the same time, other crews worked directly along the fire’s edge further north to contain the fire in that area. Both those operations are expected to continue today.
On the southern end of the fire along the West Fork of Devil Creek, a heavy lift helicopter used water drops to cool fire activity and prevent the fire from crossing to the west side of the creek. An infrared mapping flight over the fire last night shows the fire grew by about 120 acres in the 24 hours since the last flight. That figure includes both natural growth and the fire put on the ground by aerial and ground personnel.
Mill Creek 2 Fire |Size: 118 Acres | Containment: 0% | Cause: Under investigation
Though it is not out, the Mill Creek 2 Fire has shown little activity in the past several days. The fire ran uphill until it ran out of fuel and hit natural barriers, including a rock scree field. The fire is being watched, both by air and on the ground, but no suppression activities are planned.
Weather: High temperatures of 57-60, with winds out of the southwest with gusts approaching 15mph.
San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures: An area closure is in place as of Oct. 24, covering some roads and trails in or near the Trail Springs Fire area. These include NFS Roads 630, 629.B, 629B1 and 620. Details of the closure are on the Trail Springs Fire InciWeb page.
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs): A TFR is in effect over the Trail Springs Fire area. Details can be found at: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_8962.html#areas
