- The fire is 25% contained.
- Six additional fire crews arrived Wednesday. Fire managers do not anticipate the need for any additional fire crews.
- On Wednesday, crews launched a direct attack on the north side of the fire, meaning that they began digging fire line along the north side.
- A Type 1 helicopter was able to fly most of the day, and launched multiple successful air attacks on the fire (water drops). It dropped 1,000 - 1,200 gallons of water at a time. Ralston Reservoir was used for dipping.
- Some large rocks were dislodged on the south perimeter of the fire due to the large water drops. As a result, Highway 6 was closed as a precaution. No rocks fell on the road. Highway 6 will remain closed until further notice.
- Type 2 and Type 3 helicopters were also used today.
- No SEATs were used today due to erratic winds.
- The threat to homes on the east end of the fire has diminished greatly.
- None of the firefighters has been injured.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Evening Indian Gulch Fire update
The following are updates to the Indian Gulch Fire as of Wednesday evening:
New map of Indian Gulch Fire area as of Wednesday evening
The multi-agency IMT has released this new map of the fire's area. The fire has grown to 1,500 acres.
Evacuation center to close; Red Cross will remain on standby
From The Red Cross: The Red Cross will close the evacuation center at the First United Methodist Church, 1500 Ford St. in Golden, at 3 p.m. today. The Red Cross will remain on standby to meet feeding and sheltering needs related to the Indian Gulch fire should conditions change. Residents affected by the Indian Gulch fire who have questions or disaster-related needs can contact the Red Cross Mile High Chapter at 303-722-7474.
Highway 6 temporarily closed from Hwy. 119 - Hwy 58
Highway 6 is temporarily closed from Highway 119 to Highway 58 pending a heavy water drop on the fire nearby. The closure is a precaution, in case the water drop causes a rockslide.
Update on fire as of 1:30 p.m.
Favorable weather conditions have aided fire crews as they continue to fight the Indian Gulch Fire burning less than a mile away from the Town of Golden. The fire is burning in steep, treacherous terrain amongst a mixed conifer forest where there is no road access. Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft have resumed dropping water and fire retardant along the perimeter of the fire. The Indian Gulch Fire has burned a total of 1211 acres.
Access to Golden Gate Canyon Road remains restricted and residents are encouraged to maintain a heightened awareness should an evacuation be ordered. Fire crews are concentrating resources on the north, northwestern corridor of the fire. “While the fire remains a few miles away from Golden Gate Canyon Drive, this is an excellent opportunity for residents to prepare their homes by creating defensible space, and themselves by putting together kits with personal belongings,” said Incident Commander Rowdy Muir.
There are a total of 290 firefighters on the Indian Gulch Fire. Crews represent firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies within and outside the state of Colorado. A National Incident Management Team from the Great Basin assumed command of the Indian Gulch Fire at 0600 this morning.
FIRE STATISTICS
- Date started: March 20, 2011, 10:15 am
- Acreage: 1211
- Structures Threatened: 287
- Air Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 1 Type 2 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 2 single engine air tankers (SEAT), 1 fixed wing heavy tanker.
- Closures: Golden Gate Canyon Road.
- Containment: 25%
Access to Golden Gate Canyon Road remains restricted and residents are encouraged to maintain a heightened awareness should an evacuation be ordered. Fire crews are concentrating resources on the north, northwestern corridor of the fire. “While the fire remains a few miles away from Golden Gate Canyon Drive, this is an excellent opportunity for residents to prepare their homes by creating defensible space, and themselves by putting together kits with personal belongings,” said Incident Commander Rowdy Muir.
There are a total of 290 firefighters on the Indian Gulch Fire. Crews represent firefighters from local, state, and federal agencies within and outside the state of Colorado. A National Incident Management Team from the Great Basin assumed command of the Indian Gulch Fire at 0600 this morning.
FIRE STATISTICS
- Date started: March 20, 2011, 10:15 am
- Acreage: 1211
- Structures Threatened: 287
- Air Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 1 Type 2 Helicopter, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, 2 single engine air tankers (SEAT), 1 fixed wing heavy tanker.
- Closures: Golden Gate Canyon Road.
- Containment: 25%
Air tactical resources active
Fire crews are being assisted by an air crew that is flying above the fire and observing any changes in fire behavior. The air crew can relay information about fire behavior to crews on the ground. These "eyes in the sky" are currently ensuring that commanders are aware of the fire's breadth and activity.
Golden Gate Canyon Road access UPDATE
Fire and law enforcement commanders are restricting Golden Gate Canyon Road access. The road is open to emergency vehicles only until 5:00 p.m.
It will be open for local residents from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at which time it will be closed once again. Thursday morning, the road is scheduled to be open to residents from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m, pending fire behavior. Residents requiring access outside of these hours of access must be escorted by deputies.
It will be open for local residents from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at which time it will be closed once again. Thursday morning, the road is scheduled to be open to residents from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m, pending fire behavior. Residents requiring access outside of these hours of access must be escorted by deputies.
Golden Gate Canyon Road access UPDATE
Fire and law enforcement commanders are restricting Golden Gate Canyon Road access. The road is open to emergency vehicles only until 5:00 p.m.
It will be open for local residents from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at which time it will be closed once again. Thursday morning, the road is scheduled to be open to residents from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m, pending fire behavior. Residents requiring access outside of these hours of access must be escorted by deputies.
It will be open for local residents from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at which time it will be closed once again. Thursday morning, the road is scheduled to be open to residents from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m, pending fire behavior. Residents requiring access outside of these hours of access must be escorted by deputies.
Fire crews' progress, obstacles, priorities
During the night, the wind caused the fire to burn back onto itself in places, helping to keep the fire perimeter the same size overall.
The north flank of the fire is the greatest priority right now because there is no containment on the north side yet. (But the north perimeter of the fire has not moved significantly since yesterday.)
Over the course of two days, hand crews constructed a fire line from Highway 6 to Golden Gate Canyon Road (about a 2-mile stretch), on the east end of the fire.
The climb for fire crews working inside the canyon is between 1,800-2,000 foot elevation. The terrain is very sloped, wooded, and rugged.
The north flank of the fire is the greatest priority right now because there is no containment on the north side yet. (But the north perimeter of the fire has not moved significantly since yesterday.)
Over the course of two days, hand crews constructed a fire line from Highway 6 to Golden Gate Canyon Road (about a 2-mile stretch), on the east end of the fire.
The climb for fire crews working inside the canyon is between 1,800-2,000 foot elevation. The terrain is very sloped, wooded, and rugged.
Media briefing taking place
Public Information Officers are briefing the media at the Splash water park in Golden.
- Air resources may be able to fly longer today with reduced winds.
- No injuries, no structure damage.
- Expecting a type 1 helicopter, a type 2 and a type 3, as well as 2 SEATs to fly today if conditions are favorable.
- The Type 1 team's involvement allows some local resources to be released to handle other local community needs.
Via BlackBerry
- Air resources may be able to fly longer today with reduced winds.
- No injuries, no structure damage.
- Expecting a type 1 helicopter, a type 2 and a type 3, as well as 2 SEATs to fly today if conditions are favorable.
- The Type 1 team's involvement allows some local resources to be released to handle other local community needs.
Via BlackBerry
Golden Gate Canyon Road status - Wednesday
Until further notice, the road will be open to local traffic only. Motorists may be asked to show ID by officials at roadblocks, to ensure that only local traffic passes through. Other motorists will be turned away. It is still important to minimize Golden Gate Canyon Road traffic for the safety and maneuverability of fire crews stationed inside the canyon.
Residents should remain on standby in the event of evacuations.
Residents should remain on standby in the event of evacuations.
Fire command
The Type 1 incident management team (IMT) took over command of fire operations officially at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. Local fire crews remain involved in fighting the fire.
Via BlackBerry
Via BlackBerry
Fire officials are briefing
Fire remains at about 25 percent containment. No significant growth overnight despite gusts of 75 mph. There are 290 firefighters here in support.
Via BlackBerry
Via BlackBerry
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