Uncompahgre Field Office
Bureau of Land Management
Colorado
Montrose, CO 81401
FINAL Bull Draw Fire Update
Date: Sunday, September 30, 2018
Acres: 36,549 acres as of September 23 at 1800
Containment: 95%
Personnel: 21
TODAY is the LAST day that a Daily Update will be released. The Bull Draw Fire Facebook will be updated regularly through today. Starting Monday October 1st, the page will be used to update the public as conditions change and new information becomes available. The fire information phone number will no longer be available after 8:00 pm today. Please contact Grand Valley Ranger District at 970-242-8211 with any questions you have.
Public Safety: Increased fire activity will provide an increase in smoke and causes low visibility along Divide Road. For the safety of the public and fire personnel, travelers are asked to travel slowly, turn on headlights, and use extreme caution along the Divide Road with the presence of fire crews and equipment. Crews will stop traffic if necessary until conditions improve and travel can be done safely. Hunters with tags that may be impacted by fire activity can contact the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Montrose Field Office with questions at (970) 252-6000.
Weather: Expect mostly sunny with partly cloudy in the afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon with temperatures above seasonal norms. Winds will be 10-15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Erratic winds may cause poor smoke dispersal and visibility could be low. Relative humidity will be in the 23%-28% range.
Closures: No closures are in place. However, the public is encouraged to avoid the area as there are multiple hazards associated with recently burned areas. Signs have been installed along the west side of Divide Road warning the public of these hazards. For questions concerning previous Bull Draw Fire closures please call the Grand Valley Ranger District at 970-242-8211.
Planned Activity: The fire is in patrol and monitor status. Current resources will remain on the fire until a season ending event occurs. This means a significant amount of moisture, possible snow.
Yesterday’s Activity: The Bull Draw Fire had high winds, high temperatures, and low relative humidity as predicted with the Red Flag Warning. Despite the weather operations were successful and no spot fires occurred. There was a slight increase in fire activity compared to previous days, but it occurred in pockets well within the interior of the fire perimeter. This increase in activity created more smoke and low visibility along Divide Road. All lines held throughout the day as crews continued to patrol and monitor. Falling aspen leaves are still providing fuel to the fire.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs): TFRs have been lifted around the fire perimeter. Authorized Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drone, is a useful tool that firefighters use in gathering data, however, unauthorized use of UAS by the public is prohibited near active wildfires due to safety. “If you fly, we can’t”.
Fire Information Links:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6059/
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests Fire Information: 970-874-6602
Wildfire Smoke Information: www.colorado.gov/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health
Bull Draw Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BullDrawFire/
West Slope Fire Information: www.WestSlopeFireInfo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GMUG.NF/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GMUG_NF
Current as of | |
Incident Type | Wildfire |
Cause | Lightning/natural |
Date of Origin | Sunday July 29th, 2018 approx. 11:15 AM |
Location | 12 miles NW Nucla, CO |
Incident Commander | M, Schultz, IC4 |
Coordinates | 38.457 latitude, -108.665 longitude |
Total Personnel | 21 |
Size | 36,549 Acres |
Percent of Perimeter Contained | 95% |
Estimated Containment Date | Thursday November 01st, 2018 approx. 12:00 AM |
Fuels Involved | Timber (Litter and Understory) Brush (2 feet) Dead and down aspen along with serviceberry / snowberry understory providing available fuel as fire creeps and smolders through the aspen understory. Dead fuel moisture levels: 1000-hr: 7% (5680'), 11% (8000'). Live fuels: sage 70-80%; juniper 70%; oak 90-100%; ponderosa 100% |
Significant Events | Mild fire behavior with activity backing at ground level, mostly in heavies. Majority of fire behavior is near National Forest System Road (NFSR) 407 and well within the interior of fire perimeter. Falling aspen leaves provide fuel to fire. |
Planned Actions | The fire is in patrol and monitor status. Current resources will remain on the fire until a season ending event occurs. This means a significant amount of moisture, possible snow. |
Projected Incident Activity | Patrol and monitor. Resources will be released as needed. |
Remarks | Incident Ownership Private: 313 acres Montrose County private acres: 10 Mesa County private acres: 303 BLM: 9,968 acres Grand Junction Field Office: 45 acres Uncompahgre Field Office: 9,923 acres Uncompahgre National Forest: 21,809 acres FS, Mesa County: 10,785 acres FS, Montrose County: 9,514 acres |
Weather Concerns | Expect mostly sunny with partly cloudy in the afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon with temperatures above seasonal norms. Winds will be 10-15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph. Erratic winds may cause poor smoke dispersal and visibility could be low. Relative humidity will be in the 23%-28% range. |