Single Publication

Special Note:  The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team One (CIMT1), with Dan Dallas as Incident Commander, assumed command of the High Park Fire at 7 a.m. today. The CIMT1 brings overhead supervision and logistical support to incidents when local resources reach capacity.

Weather: Weather today is expected to be mostly sunny with north-northwest winds of 8 to 18 mph this morning shifting to south-southwest winds of 10 – 20 mph. There is a possibility for isolated afternoon thunderstorms, which will bring gusty, erratic winds, but little chance of rain. Humidity will be slightly higher today at 8 to 13 percent.

Current Situation:

The Colorado Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) flew last night at 9 pm and has mapped the High Park Fire at 1,173 acres.  The increase in size is due to a combination of firing operations to secure indirect fireline and wind-driven fire. It is burning in ponderosa pine and grass in steep, rocky terrain with High Park Road to the west and Fourmile Creek to the east. The fire has been most active at the southeast corner of the fire perimeter, where it spotted across Fourmile Creek.

On the northwest section of the fire, in Division A, firefighters will continue to patrol and mop up heat sources, securing the fire’s edge. On the west/ southwest section, in Division M, engine crews and dozers will continue to patrol, mop up, and secure existing fireline, as well as look for opportunities to tie in with roads and other control features to secure the southern end of the fire perimeter east to where fire spotted across Fourmile Creek. Fire suppression modules on the eastern edge, in Division Z, will scout for opportunities for direct attack around active fire at the southeast corner of the fire’s perimeter. The structure group will remove hazardous fuels and prepare for defense if fire should move toward structures.

Two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopters and 2 air attack platforms will continue to support the firefighting effort with aerial observation and bucket drops.

Evacuations and Fire Restrictions: Please visit the Teller County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for up-to-date information on restrictions, evacuations, and closures. Mandatory evacuations are in effect for Lakemoor Subdivision, Cripple Creek Ranches, and the Mt. Pisgah area.

Pre-evacuation notices are in effect for Rhyolite Mountain Mesa, Monarch, and Lost Canyon, and County Road 11 is closed from milepost 3 to County Road 112. An evacuation shelter has been set up at Woodland Park High School, and livestock can be taken to Cripple Creek Fairgrounds.

Teller County is under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Sign up for emergency alerts at www.peakalerts.org. Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public lands across the Royal Gorge Field Office. Learn more at https://go.usa.gov/xuFcR.