Pine Ridge Fire 35 percent contained

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Terrain, access and concern about resources challenge firefighters

Pine Ridge Fire burning near I-70 in De Beque Canyon. Photo courtesy De Beque Fire Protection District. Click the pic to see the entire Pine Ridge gallery at inciweb.org.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Pine Ridge Fire, in Mesa County, Colorado, has grown to more than 13,000 acres but is also more than a third contained, with continued concerns about potential threats to the town of De Beque and the I-70 corridor.

Fire behavior contineus to be extreme in some sectors, with torching, backing and more fire in fuel islands remaining on the fire’s interior.

Fire officials said key factors, including winds and fuel moisture, combined, indicate  there is a high potential for extreme fire behavior, intensity, and growth. With a shift in the wind, firefighters had to hold the line on the north, northeast and southeast flanks.

The Union Pacific Railroad is helping to deliver water to remote areas of the fire by rail and a team of resource advisors is working with fire managers because of concerns about  oil and gas well locations, cultural resources, threatened and endangered species, and the wild horse range.

Pine Ridge Fire

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