RANGELY – The 250 acre Rough Fire was reported Friday afternoon following thunder and lightning storms. It is burning on Bureau of Land Management public lands, 20 miles northeast of Rangely, in pinyon and juniper trees, sagebrush and grass.
Assigned to this fire are 60 fire personnel including the Craig and Roosevelt hot shot crews, two Moffat
County Sheriff Department engines, two BLM engines and one helicopter.
The helicopter is making retardant drops in order to slow the fires spread
and lower fire intensity so crews can work the fireline. Dry vegetation
and windy conditions are the primary contributors to the fires growth.
Burn scars from previous fires in that area will act as natural buffers to
help hinder the fires spread.
The McAndrews Fire, also reported yesterday afternoon, is a little over an
acre located less than one mile from the Rough Fire. One engine is
fighting this fire. The fires are on BLM public land and being managed as
one incident, often referred to as a complex.
A third incident, the Fawn Fire, was reported yesterday afternoon and
contained last evening at one tenth acre. It is located in the Piceance
Basin.
Thunderstorms are expected again this afternoon which will bring more wind
and lightning to the area. Rain associated with recent thunderstorms has
kept relative humidity levels a little higher which help to lower large
fire growth.
No structures or other values are immediately threatened. No containment
date has been set at this time.
