Photo provided by Colorado Incident Management Team.
This is a developing story ad will be updated.
Update Sunday, July 19:
Containment on the 1,580-acre PL Gulch Fire increased to 45% Sunday morning as firefighters continued making progress along the fire’s perimeter. Personnel assigned to the fire increased to 204.
According to the Colorado Incident Management Team, crews have installed direct handline across multiple divisions of the fire. On Sunday, firefighters planned to continue extinguishing hotspots, strengthen structure protection along County Road 5, and extend handline construction on the fire’s western edge.
Evacuation orders have been lifted and County Road 5 is open. Officials ask motorists to slow down and use caution where firefighters and heavy equipment remain active. County Road 5 is reduced to 40 mph between mile markers 18 and 23.5. Soft roadblocks remain in place at County Road 3 and County Road 76.
Fire managers said fuels remain extremely dry despite recent increases in humidity. Afternoon thunderstorms remain a concern because of the potential for gusty, erratic outflow winds, though higher humidity has helped moderate fire behavior and allowed firefighters to engage more directly along the fire’s edge.
A temporary flight restriction remains in effect over the fire area. Stage 1 fire restrictions also remain in place throughout Rio Blanco County, including Meeker and Rangely.
Update Saturday, July 18:
Rio Blanco County will lift evacuation notices and road closures as of 10:00 p.m. Saturday, July 18.
🚨Sign up for emergency alerts via Rio Blanco Alerts: https://www.rbc.us/298/Rio-Blanco-Alerts-Reverse-911
Fire restrictions remain in effect in the area
BLM Land: The BLM White River Field Office (map) implmented Stage 1 fire restrictions June 19. This includes the following, per BLM’s website:
- Campfires are only allowed within designated fire grates in developed campgrounds (i.e. a metal, in-ground containment structure — fire pans and rock campfire rings are not acceptable)
- No smoking except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or in a barren area free of vegetation.
- No fires of any type including charcoal outside of developed areas. Devices using pressurized liquid or gas are exempted.
- No use of explosive materials, including explosive targets.
- No welding or operation of an acetylene or other similar torch with open flame except from an area that has been cleared of vegetation.
- No operation of any internal combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order.
USFS White River National Forest land entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions on June 26. The following are prohibited in the areas mapped here:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal barbecue, or grill, except if using a device solely fueled by liquid or gas that can be turned on and off in an area barren or cleared of all flammable materials within three feet of the device. 36 CFR § 261.52(a)
2. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building. 36 CFR § 261.52(d)
3. Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR § 261.52(h)
4. Using an explosive. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(b)
5. Possessing or using a motor vehicle off NFS roads, except when parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the motor vehicle. 36 CFR § 261.56.
Rio Blanco County implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for all private and unincorporated lands June 19. This includes:
UPDATE July 15, 6:32 p.m.
Note: Acreage and personnel figures from the National Interagency Fire Center are not independently confirmed by the local incident management team until official updates are provided by the managing agency. Figures may change as the incident evolves.
A social media post from BLM – Colorado Fire this evening confirmed 1,404 acres and 5% containment. The Bureau of Land Management’s White River Field Office and Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit will receive support from an incoming Type 3 Incident Management Team. The team is expected to assume management of the fire Friday morning.
Related:
By Caitlin Walker | [email protected] A heavy lift firefighting helicopter flies over Meeker Friday, July 17, supporting suppression efforts on the PL Gulch Fire. This photo was taken from the…
According to the BLM, the team will provide additional leadership, planning capacity and operational support, allowing local and initial attack resources to remain focused on suppression efforts. Official updates will continue to be posted through the PL Gulch Fire’s InciWeb page and dedicated fire information page.
UPDATE July 15, 11:37 a.m.
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is reporting 1,404 acres and 5% containment. The BLM Fire Information Dashboard is reporting the same statistics. Evacuation notices and road closures remain in effect.
UPDATE July 15, 11:37 a.m.
The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) is reporting 800 acres and 5% containment. Evacuation notices and road closures remain in effect.
Per this morning’s Incident Management Situation Report from the NIFC, the fire is burning in brush and grass with active behavior, including running, long-range spotting, and torching. Structures and energy infrastructure are threatened. Approximately 95 personnel from two crews were are scene with 11 engines and one helicopter. The estimated cost is $500,000.
UPDATE July 14, 6:00 p.m.
The fire is now approximately 300 acres with no containment. County Road 5 is closed from MM 22 to MM 18 due to fire activity. Avoid the area and use an alternate route.
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office stated the fire was human-caused and parties are cooperating fully with the investigation.
UPDATE July 14, 4:32 p.m.
Acreage was updated to 130 acres with 0% containment.
UPDATE July 13, 7:00 p.m.
Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s office is reporting 150 acres and 0% containment. Multiple agencies, ground and aerial support on scene.
Original Report (Monday, July 13):
The PL Gulch Fire is currently burning north of County Road 5, just outside the Lee Fire burn scar, approximately 20 miles southwest of Meeker.
The fire was reported around 12:30 p.m. Monday and was initially estimated at approximately 20 acres. It is burning in pinyon and juniper, with no imminent threat to structures at this time.
Rio Blanco Fire Protection District and Bureau of Land Management crews are on scene. Initial attack efforts have included ground personnel and aerial resources, though aerial operations were temporarily suspended due to thunderstorms
Power has been shut off in the County Road 3 and County Road 76 area and may also affect residents along County Road 5. County Road 76 is closed while crews work the incident.
The public is urged to stay out of the area.