The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Respect the fire restrictions
By Mark Reaman
Even with the recent thunderstorms in the upper valley, fire danger remains a threat. In fact, a couple of wildfires have been reported in the valley in the last few days and thanks to quick responses, they were placed under control before becoming a danger.
Smoke was spotted on Sunday evening up toward Kebler Pass and Irwin. According to Jessica Borden, public information officer for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, a quarter to half-acre fire was ignited and named the Anthracite Fire. “It was 0.25 acres in heavy timber on the Paonia Ranger District,” Borden explained. “An initial attack module from Gunnison and a Type 6 Engine responded. The Type 6 Engine is from Region 6 in Oregon. This crew is staged in our area to assist with suppression efforts.”
Borden said, “There was another fire that occurred around 7:30 p.m. Sunday evening called the Jack’s Cabin Cutoff Fire. It was caused from a broken electrical line that sparked and caused a fire in grass. This fire was located on the Gunnison National Forest and burned 0.25 acres.” Borden said the Forest Service, Gunnison Fire Protection District, neighboring landowners, and Gunnison County EMS responded to the Jack’s Cabin Cutoff Fire.
Crested Butte Fire Protection District fire chief Rob Weisbaum said some his crew members also responded to the fire near Irwin that appeared to have been caused naturally. “Initial reports suggest once again that this might be natural cause. There was some good lightning this weekend,” Weisbaum said.
According to Marjorie Trautman, officers from the Mt. Crested Butte police department also arrived on the scene up Kebler to help contain the fire.
Borden confirmed the cause of the fire was natural.
Weisbaum said members of the CBFPD team also responded to an unattended campfire up Washington Gulch over the weekend. “Our crews went out Saturday night to put it out,” he said. “People need to be reminded that campfires need to be cold to touch prior to abandoning them.”
Reports were also made of local bikers and hikers coming upon abandoned but still-burning campfires in the backcountry in the last week. Those, combined with high winds, can start fires in the dry conditions that quickly get out of control. All the government agencies have said it is important to follow the current Stage 1 fire restrictions.
“The Gunnison National Forest is seeing moderate fire activity in July, but we are expecting to see an increase in activity due to continued hot, dry, windy weather,” concluded Borden. “Our biggest message to the public right now is please do not leave campfires unattended. Stir, drown, and feel for heat. If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave!”
