Pine Ridge Fire Update, July 2, Evening
Incident: Pine Ridge Wildfire
Released: 7/2/2012
Pine Ridge Fire Update
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Bill Hahnenberg, Incident Commander
Fire Information (970) 456-3623; (970) 283-1038
Email: pineridgefireinfo@gmail.com
Hours of operation: 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Date July 2, 2012
Time 07:45 p.m.
Weather: Tonight's weather calls for moderate temperatures (between 65 and 70 degrees) with low humidity. Gusty, erratic winds are expected as well. Tomorrow, temperatures are expected to be above normal with low humidity.
Current Situation: Crews worked hard today to contain 65% of the fire perimeter, located on the west, north and east sides. The south end of the fire still needs to be searched for hot areas before it can be declared contained. Fire activity has slowed, but isolated burning within the interior of the fire is still expected.
Of special note, this will be the last evening update. Starting tomorrow, updates will only be the morning.
Also, the 10:00 a.m. daily media briefings have been discontinued due to the decrease in the fire's activity.
Evacuations and Public Safety: The pre-evacuation order for all residents in and around DeBeque will be lifted at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. The pre-evacuation order allows for large animals and livestock to return. Fire officials do not anticipate any further movement of the fire perimeter. Because of isolated burning within the interior of the fire, smoke will continue to be seen. A smoke advisory is still in effect for Mesa County. Mesa County Health Department urges people to use caution when they are in areas where smoke can be seen and/or smelled.
Prevention: Fire danger is on everyone's minds right now. Colorado is experiencing high and extreme fire danger. The public is urged to adhere to the statewide open burn ban and ban on private use of fireworks. Check with Mesa County or visit Colorado Division of Emergency Management at http://www.coemergency.com/p/fire-bans-and-fire-danger-rating.html.
Fire Statistics
Location: 13 miles east of Grand Junction, CO in the Bookcliffs Start Date: June 27, 2012
Size: 13,920 acres
Percent Contained: 65
Cause: Lightning
Total Personnel: 532
Cost: $2,430,000
Resources Include: 4 Type 1 hand crews, 5 Type 2 hand crews, 35 engines, 6 water tenders, and overhead personnel
Air Resources: 6 helicopters and fixed wing support
