Montrose Business Times
Firefighters have increased containment on the Gold Mountain Fire to 24% while reducing evacuation levels in several areas across Ouray, Gunnison and Montrose counties.
The wildfire, burning about 2 miles northeast of Ouray, was estimated at 38,044 acres Wednesday morning, up from 36,259 acres reported July 13. The fire has 900 personnel assigned, according to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2.
Fire activity remained low to moderate Tuesday, with isolated torching reported in the Middle Fork Cimarron drainage. Crews continued improving containment lines, protecting structures and critical infrastructure, and installing pumps, sprinklers and hoses in the East Fork drainage to reduce fire risk while minimizing impacts to wilderness areas.
As containment improves, firefighters have also begun suppression repair, removing unneeded equipment, extinguishing remaining hot spots and repairing fire lines.
Meanwhile, local officials eased evacuation restrictions effective 9 a.m. Wednesday.
In Gunnison County, Zone 32 was reduced from mandatory to voluntary evacuation, joining Zone 33, which remains under voluntary evacuation.
In Montrose County, Zone 34 was reduced from voluntary evacuation to “prepare to evacuate.”
In Ouray County, evacuation orders were lifted entirely for zones 11, 12 and 13. Zone 300 was reduced from mandatory to voluntary evacuation. Mandatory evacuations remain in effect for zones 25 and 30, while pre-evacuation notices remain in place for zones 25A and 300A.
Law enforcement will continue providing 24-hour security and access control at barricades leading into mandatory evacuation areas.
Monsoonal moisture is expected to continue limiting fire activity over the next two days, although thunderstorms could produce lightning, strong outflow winds and heavy rain capable of causing localized flare-ups and flash flooding. Moderate to minimal fire behavior is expected, with most activity consisting of smoldering and creeping.
Officials also reminded the public that closures remain in effect within portions of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests and that a temporary flight restriction remains in place over the fire area, including for drones.
