Quick Facts
- Fire size: 5,727 acres and 29 percent contained
- Structures lost or damaged: 0
- 46 residences, 81 other structures threatened
- Location: 16 miles southeast of Meeker
- Start date July 29, 2018
- Cause unknown, under investigation
- Total personnel: 326
Closures remain in effect for the White RIver National Forest as of Friday morning. Updates are available at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/whiteriver/alerts-notices.
Previous operational period: The Cabin Lake Fire was active on the north side around Smith Gulch and on the south along the river corridor. Heavy aircraft were used to slow the fire’s progression, which allowed firefighters to improve containment and contingency lines near Smith Gulch toward County Road 10. They also began mop up—extinguishing or removing burning material along or near the control line, felling snags or moving logs so they won’t roll downhill—along the west and north sides of the fire. The fire received a trace of rain in the early afternoon and evening, which reduced fire behavior on all sides.
Planned action: Crews will continue full suppression efforts to minimize fire spread and mop up areas with established containment lines. The structure protection group continues to actively conduct assessments and structure preparation in the vicinity of Bucks and Bulls Ranch, South Fork White River Valley and along County Roads 17 and 10. Additional or replacement equipment resources and crews will be arriving to assist with firefighting efforts throughout the incident.
Smoke impacts: Colder temperatures overnight resulted in smoke settling in the White River Valley. For air quality and health advisory information, please visit www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx.
Fire weather: Higher humidity and predicted rain today and tomorrow will assist crews with containment efforts. However, the chance of significant rain remains low. Gusty, erratic winds and lightning are possible.
Restrictions and closures
● The Buford-New Castle Road remains closed at the intersection of County Road 10 and County Road 17 and south to the turnoff to the Meadow Lake Campground (Forest Service Road 601).
● County Road 10 starting at the intersection of County Road 10 and County Road 17.
● An emergency area closure remains in place on the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest—www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/whiteriver/alerts-notices. All trailheads and campgrounds in the South Fork White River drainage are closed.
● A temporary flight restriction remains in effect http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_7240.html.
