(UPDATE: Sunday morning, June 27) The West Fire is now at 98% containment, having burned 3,424 acres. Heavy rain Friday and Saturday dampened fuels and aided firefighters in mopping up the hotspots near the fire lines. Today, they’ll continue to patrol and monitor the established fire lines. Unburned fuels inside the containment lines are expected to keep smoldering today so you may see some smoke. 

Weather and Fuel Conditions: Sunday’s weather over the West Fire is expected to warm slightly, with northeast winds. Chances of rain are expected to decrease, and temperatures will begin to increase into next week. Temperatures today are expected to be 48-71º in the fire area and a minimum humidity of 33%. Northeast winds are forecasted to be 6-10 mph with gusts of 15 mph. Cloud cover, high humidity, and lower temperatures are again expected to contribute to moderated fire behavior again today.

West Fire Statistics:
Size: 3,424 acres
Containment: 98%
Location: 80 miles northwest of Craig, CO
Reported: June 20, 12:18 p.m.
Cause: Lightning

 

(UPDATE: Saturday morning, June 26) The West Fire is now 90% contained, thanks to rain on Friday. It dampened fuels and helped the firefighters with  mopping up the hotspots near the fire lines. The fire has burned 3,424 acres.

Today, crews will continue mopping up and patrolling established fire lines. As precipitation moves out of the area and fuels dry, unburned fuels inside containment lines are expected to smolder through the day, producing visible smoke. Some firefighting resources will be released on today and in the coming days to have days off, prepare for their next assignment, or to assist with other fires in the region.

 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Saturday’s weather over the West Fire is expected to remain cool with northeast winds. Chances of rain is expected to decrease, and temperatures will begin to increase into next week. Temperatures today are expected to be 59-66º in the fire area and a minimum humidity of 30%. Northeast winds are forecasted to be 10-15 mph with gusts of 30 mph. Cloud cover, high humidity, and lower temperatures are again expected to contribute to moderated fire behavior again today.

 

Closures and Evacuations: Moffat County Sheriff’s Office has closed portions of Moffat County Roads 72 and 10N in the fire area for the protection of the public and fire personnel.

 

 

(UPDATE: Friday morning, June 25) The West Fire has grown to 3,421 acres and is now 50% contained. Despite the fire receiving some rain yesterday, firefighters were still able to conduct a small firing operation on the northwest edge of the fire.  The increase in the fire size was due to this firing operation. Firefighters working on other areas of the fire’s perimeter mopped up hotspots near the established fire lines to further secure the fire’s edge.

 

Today, crews will continue securing and strengthening fire lines on all sides of the fire. Unburned fuel inside containment lines is expected to smolder through the day, producing visible smoke as interior pockets of fuel continue to burn inside established fire lines.

 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Friday’s weather over the West Fire is expected to be similar to Thursday with partly scattered showers in the morning and scattered thunderstorms in the early afternoon. Chances of rain will remain high, and temperatures will remain cooler through the weekend. Temperatures today are expected to be 55-63º in the fire area and a minimum humidity of 43%. West winds are forecasted to be 10-15 mph with gusts of 25 mph. Cloud cover, higher humidity, and lower temperatures are again expected to contribute to moderated fire behavior today.

 

Closures and Evacuations: Moffat County Sheriff’s Office has closed portions of Moffat County Roads 72 and 10N in the fire area for the protection of the public and fire personnel.

 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the West Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft will be grounded until the drone is confirmed as clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

 

(UPDATE: Thursday morning, June 24)  The new acreage total is at 3,401 and the fire is still at 30% contained. The West Fire saw little growth on Wednesday. Here’s Brant Porter, the Public Information Officer for the West Fire.

On Wednesday, firefighters worked primarily on the north end of the fire to secure existing fire line and prevent further fire spread to the north. The fire’s growth was the result of crews completing firing operations to secure existing fire lines. 

Today, crews will continue securing and strengthening fire lines on all sides of the fire. Unburned fuel inside containment lines will continue to burn and may produce smoke that will be visible as these interior pockets of fuel continue to burn inside established fire lines.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Weather over the West Fire is expected to moderate today with partly scattered showers in the morning and scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. If thunderstorms develop over the next 24-48 hours, gusty, erratic winds and dry lightning are possible. Chances of rain will remain high Thursday night and into early Friday. This will cause temperatures to decrease and humidity to increase. Temperatures today are expected to be 45-68º in the fire area and a minimum humidity of 38%. West winds are forecasted to be 10-15 mph with gusts of 20 mph. Cloud cover, higher humidity, and lower temperatures are expected contribute to moderated fire behavior today.

Closures and Evacuations: Moffat County Sheriff’s Office has closed portions of Moffat County Roads 72 and 10N in the fire area for the protection of the public and fire personnel.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary Flight Restrictions are in place over the West Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fires, all aircraft will be grounded until the drone is confirmed as clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

(UPDATE: Noon, Wednesday, June 23) The West Fire is 30% contained as of Tuesday. Today, firefighters are primarily working on the north end of the fire to securing the existing fire line and prevent further spread to the north. Smoke will be visible in pockets of unburned fuel which will keep burning as temperatures increase throughout the day. Rocky Mountain Type 2 Incident Management Team assumed command of the West Fire at 6:30 this morning.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Weather over the West Fire is expected to be sunny through the morning then partly cloudy in the afternoon with a chance for isolated showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be 75-80º and humidity 11-16%. Winds are expected to be 7-14 mph out of the west through the day with gusts up to 20 mph this afternoon. As cloud cover increases this afternoon, temperatures are expected to decrease and humidity is expected to increase. 

Closures and Evacuations: Moffat County Sheriff’s Office has closed portions of Moffat County Roads 72 and 10N in the fire area for the protection of the public and fire personnel.

West Fire Statistics:

• Size: 3107 acres
• Containment: 30%
• Location: 80 miles northwest of Craig, CO
• Reported: June 20, 12:18 p.m.
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information:

• Fire Information Office: (970) 329-2216
• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7574/
• Facebook: @BLMColoradoFire

(UPDATE Tuesday, June 22) The West Fire in northwest Moffat County has grown to about 3,100 acres, according to the BLM Colorado Northwest District Fire. It has crossed the Colorado state line into southwest Wyoming. The fire continues to burn in heavy lodgepole pine; no structures are threatened.

Two Hotshot crews, 11 engines, two helicopters and approximately 120 firefighters are providing fire support. A Type II Incident Management Team is expected to assume responsibility beginning June 23.

Moffat and Rio Blanco County and all BLM lands within the Little Snake and White River Field Offices will begin Stage 2 Fire Restrictions June 25 at 0001 hours. More information will be released as it becomes available.

(Monday, June 21) The West Fire up in Northwest Moffat County has now burned 2,403 acres. It’s in an area with heavy lodgepole pine. No structures are in danger right now according to Chris Maestas who is with the Northwest District of the Bureau of Land Management.

Maestes says firefighters are on the ground and in the air.

The West Fire is about 100 miles northwest of Craig. It was started by lightning on Sunday and it is zero percent contained right now.