Reinforcements: 300 firefighers, 25 additional engines arriving to help battle large Colorado wildfires

Posted on June 24, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Fire managers shifting resources to address regional threats

A June 19 NASA satellite image shows smoke plumes from several wildfires burning across the West. Photo courtesy NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team, Jeff Schmaltz.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — With nine large fires burning in Colorado, regional firefighting resources are getting reinforcements from other parts of the country.

According to regional spokesman Steve Segin, 15 crews (300 fire fighters) and 25 engines are moving into Colorado for assignment to large wildfires across state. The crews are coming from the Pacific Northwest, while the engines are en route from California.

“There are plenty of resources available nationally and we will have  everything we need as we just order them and bring them in,” Segin said via email.

According to a Twitter post from regional fire officials, the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center has moved to the highest planning level.

An earlier post from one of the region’s fire management units suggested that firefighting resources are near their limits:

Segin said that may have been the result of miscommunication or misinterpretation of information.

Regional wildfire information from the RMACC is here: http://gacc.nifc.gov/rmcc/links/fire_info/index.html

The RMACC also reported a new fire start near Durango, where the 10- to 20-acre Bondad Hill Fire threatens an unknown number of structures and has forced the closure of the highway.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Some local firefighting resources stretched thin

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Bob Berwyn
photo of Fourmile Canyon Fire.

The Fourmile Canyon fire, near Boulder, Colorado blazes near a home in the foothills west of Boulder.

Firefighters concerned about escalating fire behavior, but up to now, it’s been the quietest season in at least 10 years

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Regional fire officials are at high level of preparedness as the late summer fire season heats up and firefighting resources in some local dispatch areas run short, according to a regional fire update issued Sept. 10.

At Preparedness Level 3, large fires may occur frequently and the potential for incident management team mobilization is regularly present. Fire behavior is escalating and of concern to multiple agencies and fire managers. Critically dry fuels combined with strong winds and low relative humidity create the potential for rapid fire growth, fire officials said. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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