 |
|
|
|
|
| 8/8/2009 6:00:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Bradfield fire losing momentum
Steve Grazier
Journal Staff Writer
Growth of a wildfire on U.S. Forest Service land in Dolores County slowed over the course of the week as fire officials continue to let the blaze run its natural course.
The Bradfield fire is expanding moderately along a hillside of the Dolores River upstream from the Bradfield Bridge, about 10 miles southeast of Dove Creek. Precipitation Thursday slowed the fire's expansion, according to Mark Lauer, fire management officer for the San Juan Public Lands Center. He said the blaze grew to encompass two regions and totaled more than 1,600 burned acres Friday.
"We expect minimal fire activity (Friday) and will continue with our monitoring over the weekend," Lauer said.
Lauer said the course of the fire could change if wind picks up along with high temperatures and low humidity.
The blaze is moving in an east-to-northeast direction and is mostly burning pinyon-juniper, oak brush and ponderosa pine, Lauer said. It is about 40 percent contained. Fire managers want the fire to burn and clean up the large bed of pine needles and slash from old timber sales.
The Bradfield fire was reported Sunday, Aug. 2, and was sparked by a holdover lightning strike sometime over last weekend, Lauer said.
Durango's San Juan Hot Shot crew continues to be the sole responding agency on scene. The Hot Shots have 20 firefighters at the fire and continue to use a confine and contain fire-management strategy, Lauer said. A Forest Service helicopter is at the scene for reconnaissance purposes only.
No structures have been evacuated as a result of the wildfire, which does not pose a threat to the general public, main roads or private property, Lauer said.
Parts of Forest Roads 520 and 475 have been closed in the vicinity of Ferris Canyon as a precaution. Ferris Canyon is located between four and five miles west of the Salter Y intersection.
Forest Service Road 504, which connects Bradfield Bridge to the McPhee Dam, is open and not threatened.
Reach Steve Grazier at steveg@cortezjournal.com.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
|
|
|
