Sylvan Fire Information

09/09/2021

Future updates on the will be posted U.S. Forest Service - White River National Forest.

Today the White River National Forest lifted the closure for the Sylvan Fire.

The Sylvan Fire has not been active or grown in more than a month. It remains 3,792 acres and 90 percent contained. The remaining uncontained perimeter is on the rugged south side that firefighters have not accessed from the ground.

People planning to visit the area should be aware that there is an increased risk of falling trees and rocks, debris flow, and flooding after a wildfire.

Crews are currently working to repair firelines and will continue to monitor the area. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team will begin evaluating the burned area next week.

Additional information about the Sylvan Fire is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7562/. Additional information about the White River National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.

07/13/2021

We will be posting further updates for the on the White River National Forest page, U.S. Forest Service - White River National Forest

Update: Sylvan Lake State Park is now open. People may continue to see smoke from the Sylvan Fire, particularly in this thick timber on the southern side. About 20 firefighters and a light helicopter are working the hot spots as they appear. The fire will continue to be 68 percent contained because firefighters are not building containment lines in the rugged area on the southern end of the fire, where it is not safe to put people on the ground. The burned area as well as roads and trails that lead into it are closed. For the latest information, go to https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7562/

07/10/2021

Sylvan Fire Update:

Warm temperatures caused isolated torching inside the fire perimeter yesterday. Today there was smoke in the morning and reduced activity resulting in little visible smoke during the day and evening. Firefighters continue to monitor containment lines and mop up hotspots.

07/08/2021

Sylvan Fire Update:

Warm, dry weather in the fire area contributed to an increase in heat and fire activity across the Sylvan Fire today. Firefighters continued to hold, improve, and monitor containment lines and have been actively mopping up hotspots along the fire perimeter. Sylvan Fire remains at 3,792 acres, and containment is at 68%.

Crews expect to continue working hotspots within the fire perimeter over the next few days as temperatures warm and humidity remains low. The fire area may experience stronger winds Thursday and Friday. Afternoon thunderstorms may occur over the next two days with only a slight chance for wetting rain.

Increased fire activity may create visible smoke in the area.

The latest information including closure maps is available on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7562/.

For area, road, and trail closures and fire restrictions on National Forest lands, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver .

07/08/2021

Crews began adding water bars on completed containment lines.

Water bars consist of a berm located diagonally across the line to direct water from away from the line. The berm interrupts the speed and direction of the water, moving the water from the bare soil of the containment line to areas protected with vegetation. Vegetation slows the water allowing it to infiltrate into the soil. Water bars reduce erosion on the surface of containment lines.

07/07/2021

The White River National Forest has adjusted the Fire Closure Area.

Please drive slowly for the safety of our firefighting team and respect the closure area as it is still unsafe to be inside the fire perimeter.

The White River National Forest has reduced the Sylvan Fire Forest Closure as fire and firefighting activity lessens, but Forest officials stress the need for the public to drive slowly and respect the continuing closure.

The areas remaining in the closure include the areas within the Sylvan Fire perimeter and several roads and trails leading into the burned area.

The specific roads continuing to be closed are National Forest System Road 414 (Brush - Gypsum Road), NFSR 417 (Leeman Gulch), NFSR 431 (Powerline Road), NFSR 431.1 N (Crooked Creek Pass Spur). The trails continuing to be closed are the Mount Thomas Trail (1870) from the intersection with Red Creek Trail (1868) east to the trailhead intersection with NFSR 431.1N, and Antones Trail (1871).

Areas now open include NFSR 400 (Eagle-Thomasville), NFSR 416 (Gypsum Creek), and the Hardscrabble/Seven Hermits trail system.

Please be aware that firefighters may be operating on or near roads around the Sylvan Fire that are also now open to the public. Firefighters, trucks and heavy equipment may be entering roads and may be parked on or near roads. Please respect the safety of firefighters and drive slowly.

NFSR 415 (East Brush Creek) and the Yeoman and Fulford areas were not part of the previous closure and continue to be open. The trails east of NFSR 415 continue to be open (Nolan Lake, New York Mountain and Squaw Creek).

The burned areas remain closed. Firefighters continue to work in these areas, and it is not safe for the public to enter them. Areas may still see active fire behavior, and there are fire-weakened trees and unstable soils.

The closure order and map are available at www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver. Information about the Sylvan Lake Fire is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7562/ and on Facebook .

Sylvan Lake Campground is managed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. It remains closed because it continues to be used as a base for the fire team and aerial operations, but it is not part of this specific National Forest System lands closure.

07/07/2021

Saturday July, 3 firefighters on the were notified of a medical incident, advising that a rock climber in the Lime Creek area had been hit by rockfall. Personnel on the fire were available to respond. They worked with local Search and Rescue to dispatch to the area. A rope system was used to assist the climber to the trail and a wheeled litter which transported the climber to the trailhead. An ATV then took the patient to a landing zone where Life-flight took over.

07/06/2021

Logging operations on the have helped remove hazard trees, improve firefighter safety and increase containment line effectiveness.

07/06/2021

View of the from the Red Table Mountain ridge south and east of the fire.

07/05/2021

It is a calm morning on the with the Type 3 team continuing to clear and monitor containments lines.

07/04/2021

The local Type 3 team took management of the today.

A short reconnaissance flight revealed little to no smoke or other fire activity.

07/03/2021

The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team is transitioning management of the to a Type 3 Incident Management Team today. The Type 3 IMT will assume command of the fire at 7 pm. This page will be updated as necessary to provide information on continued containment of the fire.

The Rocky Mountain Type 1 IMT would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the community and cooperating partners for your support during the suppression of the Sylvan Fire. It was truly an honor to serve you.