Cabin Lake Fire Update—Sunday, Aug. 12

Cabin Lake Fire Information

Scott Bovey– Incident Commander-Type 3

Update 10:00 a.m.  

Direct and aggressive suppression continues today on the Cabin Lake Fire

Update: Public and firefighter safety and structure protection remain top priority on the Cabin Lake Fire as multiple hand crews, engines, heavy machinery and aerial support continue to aggressively suppress the fire.

Today, engines and firefighters will focus on structure protection efforts on the north and western flanks of the fire, while hand crews will work to engage the fire directly along the northeastern and northwestern fire edge to establish and strengthen control line with machinery, saws and hand tools. Additionally, crews will utilize a previous burn scar located on the eastern flank of the fire to establish and tie into control line on the north flank of the fire to check fire spread.

The fire is backing slowly down to County Road 17 on the northwestern perimeter of the fire where firefighters are securing and patrolling the road. Aerial operations, including a Type 1 helicopter, will continue to assist with water bucket drops as needed, focusing on the western and northern flanks of the fire.

Last night, two engines and several firefighters conducted night operations, patrolling control lines and structures throughout the fire area. Structures remain threatened, however no structures have been lost.

“Safety of firefighters, the public and structure protection remains a top priority,” said Curtis Keetch, District Ranger. “We continue to work in close coordination with the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office on this incident, and we thank the Sheriff’s Office, landowners, ranchers and the local community for their support as we continue to aggressively suppress this fire.”

The pre-evacuation notice for County Road 17 in Rio Blanco County remains in effect. Due to the increased fire activity, County Road 17, also known as the Buford/New Castle Road, remains closed at the County Road 10 and County Road 17 intersection and south to the Meadow Lake Campground Turnoff (Forest Road 601).

Today’s weather forecast is hot, dry and breezy with low humidity and the potential for gusting winds and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. The weather is expected to increase fire activity in the afternoon and early evening and create large amounts of smoke. Smoke is drifting south, east and west and is visible from Buford, Meeker, New Castle and Rifle, CO.

Evacuations: No evacuations at this time. The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office has issued a reverse 911 and pre-evacuation warning for County Road 17.

Closures: The Buford New Castle Road remains closed at the County Road 10 and County Road 17 intersection and south to the Meadow Lake Campground Turnoff (Forest Road 601).

Smoke: Smoke is visible from Buford, Meeker, Rifle and New Castle CO. For more information on how wood smoke may affect your health please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_advisory.aspx .

No Fly Zone: Aerial operations are ongoing. Please refrain from flying drones in the area. Remember, if you fly, we can’t.

Forest Closure: An emergency area closure remains in place on the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest for the Cabin Lake Fire. Please visit here for more information:https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/whiteriver/alerts-notices .

Please continue to follow Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice/) for further information and contact the Blanco Ranger District of the White River National Forest at 970-878-4039 for fire and area closure information.

Fire Information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CabinLakeFire/ andhttps://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice/

Evacuation Information: https://www.facebook.com/RioBlancoCountySheriffsOffice/

Inciweb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6057/

#CabinLakeFire