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%