Summit County Citizens Voice

Crews respond to 29 fires on Saturday

The Knowles Canyon section of the Black Ridge Wilderness Area.

Lightning across western Colorado has sparked several fires. Photo courtesy NOAA.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Saturday’s electrical storms across Western Colorado triggered more than 48,000 lightning strikes and sparked numerous fires.

The Wrigley Fire is burning on Wrigley Mesa. on Bureau of Land Management lands in the Black Ridge Wilderness area. The fire was reported about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Lee Ann Loupe,  of the Upper Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit.

Loupe said another small fire is burning in timber on the Grand Mesa, near Powderhorn Ski Area. A hotshot crew has been dispatched to that fire.

Most of the fires are spread across the far western end of the zone, with less activity at the higher elevations, she said.

Sunday’s forecast calls for more dry lightning, gusty winds and little precipitation.

The Wrigley Fire is burning actively in grasslands and piñon-juniper stands.. Smokejumpers, an engine and a 20-person hand crew are fighting the fire.

On Saturday, more than 29 fires were detected, with crews responding first to fires with the highest potential to spread and potentially threaten private lands or structures.

Air support was also active in assisting with initial attack efforts and to provide support to fires both in the Upper Colorado River zone and in northwest Colorado.

The Upper Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit.

Loupe said some fires were not immediately attacked, with firefighting crews spread tin across the area.

Fire officials say they’re expecting more reports of “hold-over” fires due to the lightning strikes, as high temperatures and erratic winds occur associated with continued storms move through the area.

Multiple fires continue to burn and suppression activities are on-going.  Additional fire resources have been ordered to assist with the large fire load within the protection zone, including three “hot-shot” fire crews.

Filed under: BLM, climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, forests, wildfires Tagged: | Colorado, Colorado Western Slope, lightning storms, Upper Colorado Interagency Fire Management Unit., Wildfires