Moisture over the weekend helped fire crews in Colorado stamp down wildfires although warmer and drier conditions are expected to return this week.
Oil Springs Fire The fire, located 20 miles south of Rangely, was started by lightning on June 18 and is now spread to 12,613 acres. No evacuations have been ordered but officials have ordered road closures for firefighter and public safety, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
Over the weekend, the area that included the fire experienced lower relative humidity and warmer temperatures. The warming and drying trend is expected to continue into this week with estimated containment scheduled for July 3, the BLM states.
Muddy Slide Fire The 4,093-acre blaze, west of Kremmling, was calmer over the weekend, thanks for scattered showers in the area, according to the U.S. Forest Service. “Creeping and smoldering was observed in several areas within the fire perimeter while heavy, dead fuels, such as logs, continue to burn,” the Forest Service states.
Sylvan Fire Containment of the Sylvan Fire, 15 miles south of Eagle, is increasing because of recent rainy weather with containment as to today at 18%, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The weather this week should favor continued progress on fireline construction and preparation for future burning operations, the Forest Service states. “A few new crews have arrived, and two additional hotshot crews are expected soon. This will help with completing some of the more difficult portions of the fireline,” according to the Forest Service.
West Fire Wet weather over the weekend helped crews dampen fuels and allowed them to mop up hotspots near established firelines, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The fire is 98% contained and remains at 3,424 acres, according to the BLM.
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