Decker Fire Update
Decker Fire Update
September 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m.
Rio Grande National Forest
Pike-San Isabel National Forest
BLM - Front Range Fire and Aviation Management Unit
John Markalunas, Incident Commander
Decker Fire Active on Saturday
Current Situation: The Decker Fire was very active on Saturday, specifically on the southwestern flank as the fire moved south of Merkt Creek towards the Oxcart Fire burn scar. There was activity in the upper Bear Creek drainage along the top of the ridge as well. In both locations, the fire moved through heavy dead and down fuels and was spurred by low humidity, warmer temperatures, and consistent winds. The fire remains on national forest lands and primarily in the Wilderness.
On the west side of the fire, the Platte Canyon Wildland Fire Module continues to check the fire’s spread onto non-forest lands on the west side of the ridge and tied the fire into natural barriers within the Wilderness. They remain spike camped on the northwest side of the fire to monitor behavior.
The east side of the fire was also active yesterday afternoon, as the fire moved into heavy dead and down beetle-killed fuels. The fire did not make any significant runs towards the east and remains totally in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. Crews will continue monitoring the east side of the fire and allowing fire to play its natural role in Wilderness to promote forest health and resiliency. A crew (MOD2) completed work to clear fuels from around the communications site on Methodist Mountain. Crews also placed repeaters and a remote weather station on Saturday. A Type 3 helicopter from Helena, Montana remains assigned to the incident and remains available, should the need arise.
The fire is expected to continue flanking south towards the Oxcart Fire scar today as well as slowly working north along the ridge towards the peak of Methodist Mountain.
The fire is visible at night and will be visible from both the US 50 and US 285 corridors. Motorists are asked to not stop in the roadway and to safely get off the roadway to observe the fire. Please do not call 911 to report fire behavior on the Decker Fire or to request fire information. A fire information line (number below) is available for fire updates. Please call 911 for emergencies only.
Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s and minimum humidity will be from 17-22%. Winds are forecast to be 8 mph out of the southwest, with intermittent gusts of up to 20 mph. With low humidity, warmer temperatures, and consistent winds, it is possible that fire behavior and smoke production will be active today, similar to yesterday. A low pressure system will develop over southern Colorado this afternoon. The low pressure system will bring isolated thunderstorm chances over the Decker Fire Sunday afternoon.
Evacuations and Closures: There are no evacuations or closures at this time. Smoke may settle into the US Highway 50 corridor in the late afternoons or evenings. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed near the fire if smoke affects visibility.
Smoke: On Saturday, the Air Resource Advisor moved the Salida smoke monitor to the Bear Creek area. The other sensor remains in Coaldale. Real-time smoke information for both sensors is available at bit.ly/deckerfiresmoke. A smoke forecast has been issued for the Salida and Arkansas River Valley. That forecast can be found at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CentralColorado. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s smoke outlook can be found at https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.
Decker Fire Statistics:
Size: Approximately 355 acres as of 2 p.m. Saturday
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 47
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: September 8, 2019
Location: 9 miles south of Salida, CO
Contact Information: InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: facebook.com/DeckerFire2019
Fire Info Line: (719) 626-1095 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Twitter: #DeckerFire2019
- Via Facebook
September 15, 2019, 10:00 a.m.
Rio Grande National Forest
Pike-San Isabel National Forest
BLM - Front Range Fire and Aviation Management Unit
John Markalunas, Incident Commander
Decker Fire Active on Saturday
Current Situation: The Decker Fire was very active on Saturday, specifically on the southwestern flank as the fire moved south of Merkt Creek towards the Oxcart Fire burn scar. There was activity in the upper Bear Creek drainage along the top of the ridge as well. In both locations, the fire moved through heavy dead and down fuels and was spurred by low humidity, warmer temperatures, and consistent winds. The fire remains on national forest lands and primarily in the Wilderness.
On the west side of the fire, the Platte Canyon Wildland Fire Module continues to check the fire’s spread onto non-forest lands on the west side of the ridge and tied the fire into natural barriers within the Wilderness. They remain spike camped on the northwest side of the fire to monitor behavior.
The east side of the fire was also active yesterday afternoon, as the fire moved into heavy dead and down beetle-killed fuels. The fire did not make any significant runs towards the east and remains totally in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. Crews will continue monitoring the east side of the fire and allowing fire to play its natural role in Wilderness to promote forest health and resiliency. A crew (MOD2) completed work to clear fuels from around the communications site on Methodist Mountain. Crews also placed repeaters and a remote weather station on Saturday. A Type 3 helicopter from Helena, Montana remains assigned to the incident and remains available, should the need arise.
The fire is expected to continue flanking south towards the Oxcart Fire scar today as well as slowly working north along the ridge towards the peak of Methodist Mountain.
The fire is visible at night and will be visible from both the US 50 and US 285 corridors. Motorists are asked to not stop in the roadway and to safely get off the roadway to observe the fire. Please do not call 911 to report fire behavior on the Decker Fire or to request fire information. A fire information line (number below) is available for fire updates. Please call 911 for emergencies only.
Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 60s and minimum humidity will be from 17-22%. Winds are forecast to be 8 mph out of the southwest, with intermittent gusts of up to 20 mph. With low humidity, warmer temperatures, and consistent winds, it is possible that fire behavior and smoke production will be active today, similar to yesterday. A low pressure system will develop over southern Colorado this afternoon. The low pressure system will bring isolated thunderstorm chances over the Decker Fire Sunday afternoon.
Evacuations and Closures: There are no evacuations or closures at this time. Smoke may settle into the US Highway 50 corridor in the late afternoons or evenings. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed near the fire if smoke affects visibility.
Smoke: On Saturday, the Air Resource Advisor moved the Salida smoke monitor to the Bear Creek area. The other sensor remains in Coaldale. Real-time smoke information for both sensors is available at bit.ly/deckerfiresmoke. A smoke forecast has been issued for the Salida and Arkansas River Valley. That forecast can be found at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CentralColorado. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s smoke outlook can be found at https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx.
Decker Fire Statistics:
Size: Approximately 355 acres as of 2 p.m. Saturday
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 47
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: September 8, 2019
Location: 9 miles south of Salida, CO
Contact Information: InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6592/
Facebook: facebook.com/DeckerFire2019
Fire Info Line: (719) 626-1095 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Email: 2019.Decker@firenet.gov
Twitter: #DeckerFire2019
- Via Facebook
Photos From The High Peak Festival
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Fund has been set up to help one of our own in need
Stacey and Brandon Schoch, dedicated county employees, have experienced several serious
difficulties in the last several months, creating an extreme financial strain on their family.
Stacey works for the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is an integral part of
providing service to our community and children of all ages.
She volunteers countless hours to our schools by donating her time to assist kids with
projects, from the booster club to cheerleading. The community of Custer County is faithful in
helping folks when they are in need. The Schoch family is in such need.
An account has been set up at First State Bank of Colorado in Westcliffe in Stacey’s name.
Please donate if you can.
- Press Release
difficulties in the last several months, creating an extreme financial strain on their family.
Stacey works for the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is an integral part of
providing service to our community and children of all ages.
She volunteers countless hours to our schools by donating her time to assist kids with
projects, from the booster club to cheerleading. The community of Custer County is faithful in
helping folks when they are in need. The Schoch family is in such need.
An account has been set up at First State Bank of Colorado in Westcliffe in Stacey’s name.
Please donate if you can.
- Press Release