Little Mesa Fire, 2465 South Townsend Avenue, Montrose, CO (2026)

09/20/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update - September 20, 2023

The Little Mesa Fire reached 100% containment on Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Firefighters determined the perimeter is contained and will stop further fire spread under reasonable conditions. Smoke may be intermittently present from the interior while vegetation smolders. The fire is being managed by a confine and contain strategy using existing roads and natural barriers. View this video to understand how the Little Mesa Fire is being managed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfTz-5SCcmk&t=209s

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 4,009 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 100%
Total Personnel: 4

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
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Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBureau of Land Management - ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeWest Slope Fire InfoDelta County Emergency ManagementBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkMontrose County - GovernmentDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeWest Region Wildfire CouncilGMUG Fire InformationBLM Colorado FireMesa County NewsColorado State Forest ServiceSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoDurango Interagency Fire DispatchUSDA Forest Service - San Juan National ForestBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit

09/07/2023

Smoke from the Little Mesa Fire may be visible in surrounding areas this afternoon through the evening. Firefighters reported interior islands of unburned vegetation started to burn actively with warmer temperatures. Firefighters are on the scene to ensure the fire stays within the perimeter.

Naturally occurring fire, such as one caused by lightning, affects the fire in varying degrees. The variation of heat generally leaves a mix of unburned, lightly burned, and more severely burned vegetation. This dynamic pattern of varied effects referred to as a “mosaic”. This burning interior island contributes to the mosaic pattern and assists in vegetation diversity and healthier forest.

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
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09/07/2023

Little Mesa Fire: Lightning Brings Opportunity

Lightning strikes a tree in Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, bringing with it an opportunity to use fire as a management tool. Fire is a natural part of the ecosystem. Natural ignitions in remote areas, like that of the Little Mesa Fire, provide land managers with the option to use a confine and contain strategy to manage areas struggling with invasive species and the encroachment of pinyon and juniper woodlands. The fire burns dead and down vegetation, allowing for the return of native grasses and forbs beneficial to wildlife. The Little Mesa Fire is a notable example of using a natural ignition fire in a confine and contain strategy to increase firefighter safety and provide considerable benefits on the land.

BLM Colorado FireBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management UnitBureau of Land Management - ColoradoColorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkDelta County Emergency ManagementMontrose County - GovernmentWest Slope Fire InfoColorado Parks and WildlifeDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeGMUG Fire InformationWest Region Wildfire CouncilMesa County NewsColorado State Forest ServiceDurango Interagency Fire DispatchUSDA Forest Service - San Juan National ForestGunnison County Emergency ManagementSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoDominguez-Escalante National Conservation AreaOuray County Emergency Management

08/30/2023

Little Mesa Fire - August 29, 2023

Recently, Little Mesa Fire has shown minimal fire behavior, but some heat remains within the interior on the southern end, between Black Point and Dry Mesa Road. Over the weekend the fire received .5” of precipitation. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire edge and monitor interior heat. Warm and dry conditions will develop Wednesday, with gusty winds 25-35 mph. Monsoonal showers and thunderstorms are back in the area on Thursday through the weekend. The Little Mesa Fire remains at 4,009 acres and 40% contained.

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
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Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkDelta County Emergency ManagementMontrose County - GovernmentColorado Parks and WildlifeWest Slope Fire InfoBureau of Land Management - ColoradoDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeBLM Colorado FireColorado State Forest ServiceMesa County NewsMesa County Sheriff's OfficeGMUG Fire InformationSan Miguel County Sheriff - Colorado

08/25/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update – Friday, August 25, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 4,009 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 40%
Total Personnel: 25

Special Note: This will be the last daily update for the Little Mesa Fire, unless fire activity increases significantly. Firefighting personnel remain working on the fire and are prepared for quick response should fire conditions change in upcoming days.

Current Situation: Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday from recent rain; still, subsurface pockets of heat, stumps, and logs within the perimeter will continue to smolder until larger amounts of precipitation extinguish them or they burn themselves out. Firefighters continued to patrol and secure the fire edge while monitoring vegetation conditions for an opportunity to burn the southern lines along Black Point Road and Dry Mesa Road. However, the proper conditions never presented themselves; it was too humid and damp. Yesterday afternoon, light to moderate rain moved over the fire area and continued throughout the night.

In the forthcoming days, fire resources will continue to patrol the perimeter and be vigilant of changing fire conditions as the area begins to dry out next week. Firefighters will observe conditions looking for opportunities to burn the southern lines along Black Point Road and Dry Mesa Road to remove unburned vegetation between the fire perimeter and roads. Completing this burn and reducing available vegetation will tie the fire perimeter into the roads and assure that the fire will not cross the roads.

Weather: Widespread isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecasted in the morning increasing to a 50% chance of wetting rain by afternoon. The area could receive up to one half to one inch of rain. Temperatures will be in the 70’s with south winds 5 mph switching to west in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Road at the intersection with Escalante Rim Road and on USFS Dry Mesa Road at Sawmill Mesa Road junction. The GMUG National Forests issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
Facebook: Twitter:

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkDelta County Emergency ManagementMontrose County - GovernmentColorado Parks and WildlifeWest Slope Fire InfoBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management UnitBLM Colorado FireBureau of Land Management - ColoradoMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMesa County NewsMesa County Sheriff's OfficeSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoGMUG Fire InformationColorado State Forest Service

08/24/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update – Thursday, August 24, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 4,009 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 40%
Total Personnel: 25

Current Situation: After two weeks of hard work out on Dry Mesa, fire crews and supervisory staff will get replaced to allow them days off. Yesterday, new crews spent the day getting familiarized with the area and gaining situational awareness about hazards and safety concerns, taking turns so there were always firefighters watching for threats to the fireline. The area received sporadic localized showers, which was a limiting factor in the work that could be completed. When storms move through the area, the resulting lightning, slippery roads, and mud create hazards that force firefighters to take cover in vehicles or under tarps. The Multi Mission Aircraft was able to fly and map the perimeter yesterday. Infrared data showed an increase in acreage due to hand ignition operations on Tuesday to secure the Dry Mesa Road.

With more rain in the forecast through the weekend, crews will spend their time patrolling and monitoring the south side of the fire perimeter, where there is the most heat. After this surge of monsoonal moisture passes, they will have to reassess conditions on the ground. Residual heat is anticipated to remain within the fire area after these storms pass. The long-term goal is to increase containment by performing firing operations off of roads that have been identified as containment lines. By removing the available fuel between the remaining interior heat and the fire lines, confidence can be gained that the fire will not cross the line.

Weather: The remnants of Tropical Storm Harold will move through the region bringing widespread showers and thunderstorms. Look for periods of some gusty outflow winds, lightning, and some heavy rain from the strongest showers and storms. Scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected in the morning, then rain showers and numerous thunderstorms in the afternoon with an 80% chance of wetting rain over the fire area. Temperatures will be in the high 70’s with south winds 5 to 10 mph switching to northwest in the afternoon.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Road at the intersection with Escalante Rim Road and on USFS Dry Mesa Road at Sawmill Mesa Road junction. The GMUG National Forests issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
Facebook: Twitter:

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlColorado Parks and WildlifeWest Slope Fire InfoBureau of Land Management - ColoradoBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management UnitBLM Colorado FireGMUG Fire InformationMontrose County - GovernmentMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeDelta County Emergency ManagementDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMesa County Sheriff's OfficeMesa County NewsSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkColorado State Forest Service

08/23/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update
Wednesday, August 23, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area

Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM

Cause: Lightning

Estimated Size: 3,943 acres

egetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass

Containment: 40%

Total Personnel: 35

Current Situation: Thanks to the hard work done by firefighters, the containment of Little Mesa Fire is now 40%. Like much of the region, the fire area was mostly cloudy yesterday, with some gusty winds and light rain. The southern area of the fire received about 1/10th inch of rain while the northern end was left without any measurable precipitation. Firefighters began extending the black (burned area) to tie in the previous day’s hand ignitions to Black Point Road but only progressed about 400 yards before they were interrupted by rain and high humidity. The rest of the day was spent continuing to mop up and cold-trail the fire edge, a tedious but necessary step in gaining containment on any fire.

Today, firefighters plan to make another attempt to tie in the black they created during the firing operation on Monday into the Black Point Road to the south.

Weather: Mostly sunny skies are expected until about noon today, with a chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon into the evening. Highs are forecast to be in the upper 70’s in the fire area. Southwest winds 15-20 mph are expected this morning, with a shift to lighter southerly winds this afternoon.

Monsoonal moisture in the region will get an extra boost from former Tropical Storm Harold as it gets pulled into the southerly flow. This moisture will bring widespread showers and thunderstorms beginning this evening and lasting through the end of the week. These storms will be capable of producing heavy rain, gusty winds, and frequent lighting. Chances of wetting rain will be increased Thursday, Friday, and into Saturday.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Road at the intersection with Escalante Rim Road and on USFS Dry Mesa Road at Sawmill Mesa Road junction. The GMUG National Forests issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire

Photo: Example of using road as fireline. Roads already are cleared to bare mineral soil, so they will not support fire growth. Firefighters often improve roads as fireline by cutting lower limbs off trees or cutting entire trees away from the road, or by firing off of the road to expand the area where there are no fuels for the fire to consume.

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Bureau of Land Management - Colorado
BLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado State Forest Service
GMUG Fire Information
West Slope Fire Info
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Delta County Sheriff's Office
Delta County Emergency Management
Montrose County - Government
Montrose County Sheriff's Office
San Miguel County Sheriff - Colorado
Mesa County Sheriff's Office

08/22/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update
Tuesday, August 22, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 3,896 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 35

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Air operations may be conducted on the Little Mesa Fire. For your safety, please stay out of the Potholes Recreation Area. The helicopters are using this water source for fire suppression.

Current Situation: Conditions on the Little Mesa Fire were hot, dry and windy yesterday. Firefighters were forced to ignite along a two-track road on the southwestern end of the fire to protect the fire line against the winds produced by a storm cell that moved in from the southeast. All lines were held successfully. In order to prevent future use of the control line as a road, the excavator completed work on repairing the dozer lines that were created to suppress the fire. In addition, firefighters finished repairing fences damaged during fire suppression.

Today, firefighters will continue to cold-trail and mop up the fire edge. They also plan to tie in the black they created during yesterday’s firing operation into the Black Point Road to the south, if the weather is favorable.

Weather: Partly cloudy conditions are expected this morning with a chance of isolated showers this afternoon. Temperatures remain in the upper 80’s during the day with lows around 60 degrees at night. Southwest winds 10-15 mph are expected this afternoon with gusts up to 25 mph.

Today begins a trend of increasing moisture as a high pressure system to the east meets a low pressure system to the west over the area. The likelihood of thunderstorms and showers increases each day, with the greatest chance of widespread storms occurring on Thursday. Lightning, gusty outflow winds, and heavy rain are the greatest threats from any storm.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Road at the intersection with Escalante Rim Road and on USFS Dry Mesa Road at Sawmill Mesa Road junction. The GMUG National Forests issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire

Photo: Skyway WFM firefighters dig hand line around a smoldering tree near the fire perimeter.

BLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit
Bureau of Land Management - Colorado BLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management Unit
Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado State Forest Service
GMUG Fire Information
West Slope Fire Info
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Delta County Sheriff's Office
Delta County Emergency Management
Montrose County - Government
Montrose County Sheriff's Office
San Miguel County Sheriff - Colorado
Mesa County Sheriff's Office

08/21/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update – Monday, August 21, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 3,896 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 35

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Air operations may be conducted on the Little Mesa Fire. For your safety, please stay out of the Potholes Recreation Area. The helicopters are using this water source for fire suppression.

Current Situation: The fire saw no new growth yesterday. Firefighters made great progress in securing the fire edge, along with patrolling the area for threats to the fire line. With firefighter vigilance the fire held within the established containment areas throughout the day despite the windy hot conditions. Pockets of unburned vegetation deep in the fire’s interior actively burned and produced visible smoke. Lightning from previous days’ storms ignited many small fires in the region. Air resources and engines are being used to detect, locate, and contain these new starts.

Throughout the day firefighters will continue to patrol and extinguish heat along the fire perimeter. Smoke might continue to be seen as fire creeps into islands of unburned vegetation causing flare ups within the fire interior.

Weather: An increase of precipitation is expected for western Colorado. Though gusty winds will be widespread across the region, critical fire weather conditions are not expected due to the higher relative humidities today. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon. Mostly sunny today with temperatures in the high 80s and south winds 12 to 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph in the afternoon. Shower and thunderstorm coverage increases Tuesday and through the end of the week as monsoonal moisture and remnants of Tropical Storm Hilary filter into the region.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Rd at the intersection with Escalante Rim Rd and on USFS Dry Mesa Rd at Sawmill Mesa Rd junction. The GMUG National Forests have issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
Facebook: Twitter:

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkDelta County Emergency ManagementWest Slope Fire InfoBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management UnitBLM Colorado FireBureau of Land Management - ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeColorado State Forest ServiceMontrose County - GovernmentMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMesa County NewsMesa County Sheriff's OfficeSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoGMUG Fire Information

08/20/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update – Sunday, August 20, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 3,896 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 35

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Air operations may be conducted on the Little Mesa Fire. For your safety, please stay out of the Potholes Recreation Area. The helicopters are using this water source for fire suppression.

Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters accomplished a lot of great work patrolling and securing the fire perimeter. They focused on the southwest end off Dry Mesa Road to Black Point Road using a cold trailing technique, which means using the back of their bare hands to feel for heat. When heat is detected, they dig out the spot using their fire tool to cool it off. Water and dirt may also be used to assist. The excavator completed road repair and cleanup work, as well as digging holes for fence posts. The fire area did not receive any precipitation. Dry and windy conditions caused some single tree torching within the interior but did not threaten the fire line.

Today, firefighters will patrol and secure the perimeter by extinguishing any heat near the edge. Fire activity within the interior may pick up as pockets of unburned fuel flare up. Firefighters will remain alert as the area enters a warming and drying trend.

Weather: Tropical storm Hilary will cause an increase in the winds in the next couple of days. Mostly sunny today, with temperatures in the upper 80s. Conditions will dry out with increasing winds to 10 to 15 mph and gusts to 25 mph as dry air encompasses the area. Localized critical fire weather is possible, particularly in the lower valleys.

Warmer and drier temperatures and gusty afternoon winds will start to dry out vegetation, which will support easier fire spread in the dense vegetation within the interior.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Rd at the intersection with Escalante Rim Rd and on USFS Dry Mesa Rd at Sawmill Mesa Rd junction. The GMUG National Forests have issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
Facebook: Twitter:

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBureau of Land Management - ColoradoWest Slope Fire InfoBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkBLM Colorado FireGMUG Fire InformationMontrose County - GovernmentMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeDelta County Emergency ManagementDelta County Emergency ManagementMesa County NewsMesa County Sheriff's OfficeSan Miguel County Sheriff - ColoradoColorado Parks and WildlifeColorado State Forest Service

08/19/2023

Little Mesa Fire Update - Saturday, August 19, 2023

Location: Approx. 15 miles west, southwest of Delta, CO, Dominguez Escalante National Conservation Area
Discovered: July 31, 2023, 11:00 AM
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size: 3,896 acres
Vegetation Type: Pinyon, Juniper, sagebrush, grass
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 35

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC: Air operations maybe conducted on the Little Mesa Fire. For your safety, please stay out of the Potholes Recreation Area. The helicopters are using this water source for fire suppression.

Current Situation: Type 4 Incident Command took over the fire yesterday morning. Fire behavior was minimal after receiving precipitation earlier in the day with no growth, but due to better mapping the map shows an increase in acreage. The Wildland Fire Module flew their Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with infrared camera to detect heat along the southwest perimeter. Fire crews prepped for potential future burning from the southwest edge of the fire off Dry Mesa Road to Black Point Road. The excavator continued to perform cleanup operations, adding large vegetative material to reclose roads temporarily opened as containment lines and dispersing pockets of dead and down vegetation.

Fire behavior is expected to be reduced due to precipitation received overnight. Today, firefighters will patrol the fire perimeter, eliminating any heat along the edge and moving smoldering logs further into the interior. On the southwest end, firefighters will continue their prep work from Dry Mesa Road to Black Point Road. If weather conditions are conducive, firefighters may look at conducting hand ignitions along the prepped line. The excavator will complete road repair and cleanup work, as well as dig holes for fence posts.

Weather: Last night, deep tropical moisture was firmly in place around portions of western Colorado with widespread storm activity. Storms tracked on the fringes of the fire area producing abundant lightning with minimal to no precipitation. Drier air will begin to move in from the southeast today through Sunday, but widely scattered storm formation is still possible, with an increase in threat of gusty outflow winds. Winds will be from the south 7 to 12 mph, with temperatures in the mid-80s.

Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have been issued. Temporary road closures are in place in Delta County on Dry Mesa Rd at the intersection with Escalante Rim Rd and on USFS Dry Mesa Rd at Sawmill Mesa Rd junction. The GMUG National Forests have issued a forest closure order for the area around the Little Mesa Fire. Public access to the closure area is limited. Visit https://bit.ly/3YwXNz0 for more information.

Smoke: Smoke is visible from surrounding areas and highways 50, 550, 92, 65, 141 and C37 Road. Go to fire.airnow.gov or colorado.gov/airquality/ to get updates on smoke conditions.

Aviation Safety: Incident aircraft may be flying over the Little Mesa Fire air space. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires. Remember if you fly, we can’t!

For updated information follow on these outlets:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-little-mesa-fire
Facebook: Twitter:

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and ControlBureau of Land Management - ColoradoWest Slope Fire InfoBlack Canyon of the Gunnison National ParkBLM - Southwest Colorado Fire and Aviation Management UnitBLM Colorado FireColorado Parks and WildlifeColorado State Forest ServiceMontrose County - GovernmentMontrose County Sheriff's OfficeDelta County Emergency ManagementDelta County Sheriff's OfficeMesa County NewsMesa County Sheriff's OfficeGMUG Fire InformationSan Miguel County Sheriff - Colorado

Little Mesa Fire

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