UPDATED: Indian Valley Fire 6,310 acres, 80 percent contained

INDIAN VALLEY FIRE

RBC | Another blaze sprang up in Rio Blanco County Friday, July 20. Smoke was reported around 1 p.m. The fire start was located in the Indian Valley/Colorow Mountain area northwest of Meeker on BLM and private land in both Rio Blanco County and Moffat County.

The fire is “burning in timber understory, short grass and brush.” “Extreme fire behavior” was observed Saturday, but calmed Sunday with total growth of only 200 acres.

As of Monday, July 30, the fire has burned 6,310 acres. You may notice increased smoke in the area as crews conduct backburns. View a detailed report at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6000/

MANAGEMENT

A Type 2 Incident Management Team from the Southwest took over operations Tuesday, July 24.

At last report, estimated costs are 2.8 million dollars.

Wind was a problem in controlling the initial spread. The fire grew in four directions after starting and no anchor point was initially established.

Air support actively worked to suppress the fire. Check out the above Facebook video from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control showing a retardant drop.

AIR QUALITY

Wind patterns blew ash into Moffat County Friday, according to Craig Press. A smoky haze was visible in Meeker as of 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The Memorial Hospital of Moffat County posted a warning on their Facebook page Saturday evening stating visibility less than five miles means air quality is compromised and those with health conditions such as heart disease, respiratory problems, the very young and the elderly should limit outdoor activity.

OTHER INFORMATION

Saturday, a pyrocumulus cloud formation was observed over the burn area.

The historic Keystone Ranch is located in this area along Price Creek in the Coyote Basin. It’s best known for hosting president-elect Teddy Roosevelt in 1901. Roosevelt took nearly 30 mountain lions during his hunt on the property, the largest of which, a 227-pound cat, held a Boone & Crockett record for nearly 100 years.

Keystone Ranch was sold to neighboring Buffalo Horn Ranch in 2008.

For updates on the Sulphur Fire also burning in Rio Blanco County, please visit: https://www.theheraldtimes.com/breaking-crews-responding-to-fire-in-the-wilson-creek-area-north-of-meeker/meeker/