8/26/2020 – 9:30 am
East Fork Wildfire Has More Than Doubled In Size
An All Things 81082’s East Fork Wildfire Update No. 9
Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) did a flyover Tuesday evening of the East Fork Wildfire. The findings of the MMA flyover showed the wildfire has increased to 233.5 acres.
The increase in acreage is said to have occurred because fire crews conducted a burnout to create a firebreak at the top of the canyon to make progress on the fire.
The resources on the scene yesterday that provided mutual aid were Stonewall, Fishers Peak, Spanish Peaks, and Piñon Canyon Fire Departments. Firefighters were assisted with a bulldozer and tender from the Las Animas County’s Road and Bridge Department.
These resources were released Tuesday and placed on standby with the exception of the County’s bulldozer and operator. The bulldozer and operator will be on scene today cutting fire lines.
Three engines and personnel from the Hoehne Fire Department and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) monitored the fire throughout the night.
DFPC will be sending two additional Type 6 engines today with crews to aid in fighting the fire.
8/24/2020 – 2:00 pm The East Fork Fire on the Southeast end of the Fisher’s Peak Mesa near the Colorado/New Mexico Border is currently 30% contained. The MMA (Multi-Mission Aircraft) flew over before noon today and reported the fire to be at 108 acres. No structures are threatened or values at risk. Hoehne Fire has one engine and firefighters on scene along with DFPC (State Division of Fire Prevention and Control). DFPC has one engine with a 6-member crew. Around 12:45, Hoehne Fire requested mutual aid from local fire districts. Las Animas County’s Road and Bridge crew was requested to report with a dozer as well, the county water tender is on stand-by. City of Raton fire has offered mutual aid and currently on stand-by. As with last year’s Frisco Canyon Fire in this same vicinity, the terrain is rough and very dangerous for fire personnel. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and engage the fire when possible and when the safety and lives of firefighters is not at risk. Hoehne Fire is in command of the East Fork Fire and the IC is Dave Bacharach, Hoehne Fire Chief.
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The hot weather will continue today, with highs in the 90s to around 100 over southeast Colorado, in the mid and upper 80s in the high valleys, and in the upper 70s to mid 80s in Teller County. This afternoon and evening, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected over the mountains and high valleys, with isolated storms over portions of the I-25 corridor. The main storm risks will be lightning and gusty winds.
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East Fork Fire update 8/24/20 @ 9:14 pm from IC Dave Bacharach, Hoehne Fire Chief.
Today’s weather and tonight’s storm only produced wind for the fire, no rain. With that it is estimated to have grown by about 20 acres to sit at approximately 80 acres. MMA was unable to fly over today due to other fires throughout the state with higher ranked priorities.
We are anticipating an MMA to fly over tomorrow unless there are other start-ups throughout the state. DFPC will be keeping 6 staff on this fire, along with Hoehne Fire. Spanish Peaks Fire was released today and placed on stand-by. Las Animas County Road and Bridge tender is also put on stand-by. DFPC has two engines and Hoehne Fire has one engine on scene. There are no structures threatened or values at risk.
As with last years fire in this same vicinity, the terrain is rough and very dangerous for fire personnel. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and engage the fire when possible and when the safety and lives of firefighters is not at risk.
