Montrose Business Times
The Gold Mountain Fire reached 89% containment Wednesday as firefighters continued repairing suppression lines and extinguishing isolated pockets of heat, marking another significant milestone in the nearly six-week firefight.
The wildfire remains at 39,507 acres about 2 miles northeast of Ouray. Containment has increased from 59% a week ago to 89%, while the number of personnel assigned to the incident has dropped from 621 to 300 as operations transition from active suppression to rehabilitation and repair.
Crews on the fire’s northeastern edge near the Middle Fork of the Cimarron River extinguished lingering hotspots while increasing containment. Officials said suppression repair now remains the primary focus across the incident.
In Branch I, suppression repair has been completed in divisions A through D, allowing those areas to remain unstaffed. Chipping operations continue in divisions F and H/K, while a road grader is smoothing Forest Service Road 858 and crews finish repairs in southern portions of the fire area.
Elsewhere, firefighters secured remaining hotspots and added containment in Division P/R. Grading work has been completed on Cimarron Mountain Road, while heavy equipment crews continue repairing dozer lines near the Fish Creek Reservoirs. Activity-generated fuels are also being cleared from Forest Service Road 864.
Fire officials warned that elevated fire weather conditions are expected Wednesday, with gusty winds, low humidity and dry fuels increasing the potential for spotting. Interior pockets of heavy fuels are expected to continue producing visible smoke.
Forest Service roads 864 and 858 south of Cimarron remain closed while suppression repair work continues. Officials asked motorists to obey closures and reduce speeds when traveling near the fire area and incident camps.
A temporary flight restriction remains in place over the Gold Mountain and Elk fire areas. Fire officials reminded the public that flying drones near wildfires can interfere with firefighting aircraft and force aerial suppression operations to stop.
The fire, which started June 27, remains under investigation.
Smoke safety
With wildfire smoke continuing to affect parts of western Colorado, the American Red Cross and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment recommend residents keep windows and doors closed when smoke is heavy, use high-efficiency air filters or portable air cleaners when possible, and limit strenuous outdoor activity.
Health officials also recommend wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator outdoors during smoky conditions, if appropriate, and watching for symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing or eye, nose and throat irritation. Children, older adults, people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women and pets are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke.
