Fire behavior:

Active

Wind Driven Runs

Flanking

Short-range Spotting

The fire environment is conducive for large fire growth because all elements for extreme fire behavior are present. Live and dead fuel moistures are at critical levels, and D3 severe drought conditions exist over the fire area. Below average, to minimal snowpack, lack of spring moisture, and above average temperatures over the last 6 months has led to severe drought conditions. Energy Release Component and Burning Index values are above the 97th percentile, fuel moistures in the 1,000-hour level and sagebrush fuels are at extreme lows. Fuels consist of a mix of pinyon pine, juniper, sagebrush and grass and are to be considered continuous across the landscape. Areas along private property and the Colorado River hold lower fuel loadings compared to the wilderness and park areas. The topography in and around the fire consists of large plateaus intermixed with extremely steep and long drainages making erratic fire behavior.  Winds have proven to be a main contributor to fire growth and will continue in the days coming.

Areas of concern include –

Active fire behavior in the Black Ridge Canyons Wilderness and Glade Park will be the main concerns for the days moving forward. Torching and short range spotting will be evident when clear skies present themselves. High rates of spread of up to 1 MPH and flame lengths up to 15 feet can be observed with the forecasted weather. Continuous fuels will aid in wind driven runs, threatening values at risk.

Flanking and backing fire along the Colorado River/I-70 Corridor will aid in firefighting efforts to keep the fire south and east of the river.

Rolling material in steep drainages will cause a concern, igniting fuels below and creating uphill runs towards the top of plateaus. As the fire comes of the drainages, expect erratic fire behavior is expected in any and all directions.