Single Publication

QUARTZ RIDGE & BEAR CREEK FIRES

September 22, 2023                                                 

Type 3 Team, Incident Commander: Scotty Nilson

Updates will be produced every other day unless significant activity occurs.

Highlights: The return of drier air and strong winds will likely increase fire activity and smoke production on both the Quartz Ridge and Bear Creek fires. Firefighters are still actively engaged in observing the fires and will take action when needed and safe to do so. Smoke will likely be visible at times until a season ending event occurs.

As conditions permit, prescribed fire activity will be taking place at specific locations around the San Juan National Forest. For the most up to date and detailed information visit, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-san-juan-national-forest-prescribed-fire-program.

Quartz Ridge Fire:  2,850 acres | 25 personnel assigned

Last nights infrared flight showed heat signatures on the eastern flank of the fire. No heat was detected on the western half of the fire. Fire crews will continue to patrol and provide surveillance of the fire activity and report any movement towards the Management Action Points (MAP) that are in place. The MAPs are pre-identified areas where if the fire hits, then firefighters will take action where safe to do so. 

Bear Creek Fire:  1093 acres | 14 personnel assigned

Scattered heat was detected by last nights infrared flight within the interior of the Bear Creek fire. The highest concentration of heat signatures was in the northern half of the fire. Firefighters continue to patrol the Weminuche Valley ensuring that all the structure protection equipment is in place and operable in the case the fire moves west, and structure protection actions are needed. Smoke will likely be visible in the Weminuche Valley, west of Weminuche and south of Falls Creek. 

Weather: An upper-level low is moving into the area and will remain through Saturday bringing strong wind gusts through tonight. A few isolated showers are possible Saturday night followed by a warming and drying trend into next week.  

San Juan National Forest Temporary Closures: Closure orders remain in effect. Details can be found at Quartz Ridge Closure and Bear Creek Closure. Roads and trails within the Quartz Fire area are Quartz Meadows Rd (NFSR#684), Quartz Ridge Trail (NFST#570), Quartz Creek Trail (NFST#571). The trails within the Bear Creek Fire area are Little Sand Trail (NFST #591) and Shaw Creek Trail (NFST#584).