Two wildfires ignited in county

First contained, another in progress

[ By Katherine Nettles ]

It is officially, unfortunately, fire season in Gunnison County. The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests, in coordination with Gunnison County, have been responding to two fires this week and are still actively suppressing one called the Lost Canyon Fire located about seven miles northeast of Almont near the Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area. It was reported at around 3 p.m. on May 25, just hours after the initial report of the Coral Creek fire up Highway 92 that local firefighters were already responding to.

The Lost Canyon fire has been mapped at approximately eight acres in a remote location with limited access. Gunnison County emergency services director Lisa Bickford said that two large air tankers were dropping retardant to slow the fire’s progression while ground personnel worked to reach the incident. A 20-person crew, eight smokejumpers and a Type 3 helicopter were assigned to the fire and expected continue suppression efforts in the coming days. 

Additionally, Bickford said the Coral Creek fire is now 100% contained after burning 19 acres on private property. “There may still be fire resources in the area for clean up efforts,” she added.

There are currently no road closures associated with these fires. Lightning is suspected as the cause for both fires.