Indian Gulch Fire update, continued

The Type 1 IMT will likely be released mid-day on Saturday, at which time control of fire operations will return to local officials.

Residents of the Mountain Ridge subdivision in the city of Golden were released from their evacuation standby order around 5:30 on Thursday via an e911 phone call.

Late Thursday afternoon, incident commanders sent one helicopter and two SEATs to Douglas County to help with the fast-growing fire burning there.

Roadways update

On Friday, crews will be doing more work along Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon. Fire and law enforcement officials will work with CDOT Friday morning to reassess the safety of the roadway. Highway 6 will remain closed overnight tonight.

Golden Gate Canyon Road remains closed to non-local traffic between Catamount and Crawford Gulch. Golden Gate Canyon Road is open to all canyon area residents between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Between 7 p.m. and midnight, local traffic will require a deputy escort to travel through the canyon.

Beginning at midnight tonight, Golden Gate Canyon Road will be opened completely to all traffic. Deputies will be conducting extra patrols in the canyon throughout the night. The road will stay open Friday barring unexpected fire activity.

Indian Gulch Fire update, 6 p.m. Thursday

The Indian Gulch Fire is 77% contained, and has burned 1,700 acres.

On Thursday, fire crews had great success on the north side of the fire, closest to Golden Gate Canyon Road.

Fire crews will remain on duty overnight, monitoring the fire. Ground and air resources will begin to de-mobilize starting Friday, depending on fire behavior.

No water or retardant was dropped on the fire today, although aircraft were supervising and observing ground operations.

Fire along Highway 6

These images were taken Thursday afternoon, showing firefighters working along Highway 6. Highway 6 remains closed.

Road closures

We will post an update regarding Friday's road closures around 6 p.m. today, following an incident commanders' meeting. Closures/restrictions are not expected to change significantly, but please check back for any updates.

Jeffco Sheriff opening tipline for Indian Gulch Fire

Jefferson County Sheriff’s investigators are seeking assistance from the public regarding the Indian Gulch Fire. The fire appears to have started along Indian Gulch north of Hwy 6. Investigators have ruled out all other viable ignition sources and have determined that the fire was human caused.

Sheriff’s investigators are urging citizens to contact the tipline at 303-271-5612 to provide information regarding unusual activity or suspicious persons in the area between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 20th. The area of concern is Hwy 6 between tunnel 1 and Hwy 58, or Golden Gate Canyon Rd. between Mount Galbraith Park and Hwy 93.

Golden Gate Canyon Road update, continued

Note: During times when motorists must be escorted through the canyon, you may see several cars waiting at each roadblock. This is because deputies may wait for several cars to assemble before escorting the group into the canyon. If you see a line of vehicles, please do not assume that the cars are being stopped and turned away.

Golden Gate Canyon Road access update

Golden Gate Canyon Road remains closed to non-local traffic between Catamount and Crawford Gulch. It is open to all canyon area residents between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and again between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. During times outside those windows, local traffic will require a deputy escort to travel through the canyon.

This change is effective now.

Earlier today, the road was not open to motorists who live outside of the Catamount/Crawford Gulch boundaries. Commuters and those who normally travel through the canyon were advised to find an alernate route, in order to minimize traffic between the roadblocks.

Please have ID available when traveling through.

Indian Gulch Fire air operations

- On Wednesday, two helicopters dropped a total of 30,020 gallons of water on the fire.

- Air operations continue today.

Indian Gulch Fire media briefing, 7:30 a.m.

- Crews plan to focus on the area along Highway 6 today. Highway 6 remains closed.

- Fire remains at 1,500 acres, 25 percent contained.

- About 400 people are working on this incident.

- As of now no homes are threatened.

- Golden Gate Canyon Road restrictions remain in place for the safety and maneuverability of fire crews.

- Incident commander Rowdy Muir says this is the earliest his team has been called out, in his career as an incident commander (early spring).


Via BlackBerry