HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS, Colo. — Moderate weather conditions on Friday allowed firefighters to make progress toward adding containment and kept fire growth of the Williams Fork Fire to a minimum.
As of Saturday morning, the fire burning near Hot Sulphur Springs, remained 5% contained and had burned 12,079 acres.
Earlier this week, crews completed burning operations east of County Road 30.
Crews on the ground and from the air helped with that effort. From the air, a dispenser that launches small plastic spheres similar to ping pong balls was used. They're shot through an opening in a helicopter and are filled with a chemical that reacts and ignites after a short delay.
That type of ignition allows for burning or firing operations in terrain that may be difficult or unsafe for firefighters to reach by ground. The planned ignitions are intended to burn in a more mosaic pattern and lower intensity than in an uncontrolled wildfire.
A video of that operation was posted on the Instagram page for the fire.
Although the burning at that location was completed Tuesday, additional work is required to ensure the fire in this area is safe and contained.
Fire crews are also working in the areas of the Bobtail Mine and Denver Water infrastructure to provide protection of these locations.
Due to statewide dry and drought conditions and significant fires burning across the state, Governor Jared Polis has enacted a statewide ban on open burning. Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in Grand County.
For official fire information, maps and photos, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6971/
The fire initially prompted mandatory evacuations of numerous campgrounds and homes, according to a tweet from the Grand County Office of Emergency Management (GCOEM). No evacuations have been ordered for residents of the Fraser Valley.
On Friday, Grand County announced Ute Pass Road had re-opened and that pre-evacuation notices for the Aspen Canyon, Morgan Gulch, and Henderson areas had been lifted.
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