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fulsizjeep wrote:FYI - Yes, it is upon us. Currently there is a wildfire that has forced closure of US 550 near Hermosa. You can see Colorado road closures at COTRIP.ORG. Over 1100 acres burned as of last night. There is 30% chance of showers tonight and tomorrow but 30% doesn't mean that much here. I don't get excited until it hits 50%. 30% in Florida... yeah, it's gonna rain. I hope we get some decent monsoons by the middle of July.
Getting serious folks. 416 Fire was almost 17,000 and Burro Fire was 1,000 acres yesterday. 32 miles of US 550 between Durango and Silverton is closed at night. During the day starting at 8am local law enforcement is assisting navigation of this stretch of highway. Almost a thousand personnel are assigned to the two fires. Both fires now managed by the same Rocky Mountain Level 1 Incident team. The whole Southwest Region is at wildfire preparedness level 4. At Mesa Verde NP, fire crews and other staff are setting up sprinklers in developed areas of Chapin Mesa. Tomorrow: The SAN JUAN NF is CLOSED.
I'm hoping for the best for the area. Not just because of our little trip.
Over Memorial Day this year I drove out across US50 to Moab and the Blue Mesa Reservoir looked to be at least 15-20 feet down from full. Things out there are really not good. It's going to take a whole lot of rain for them to recover.
bigun wrote:I have been wondering if this years event would happen
I wonder if Dave & Deb will let us wheel the hill between the Aspen area and the office area.
They just announced the 416 Fire is 22,131 acres. High winds ripped it up yesterday afternoon. Winds should be calm this week. Things can be different a month from now. Pray for healthy monsoons and we'll be dodging lightning bolts on Imogene.
bigun wrote:I have been wondering if this years event would happen
I wonder if Dave & Deb will let us wheel the hill between the Aspen area and the office area.
They just announced the 416 Fire is 22,131 acres. High winds ripped it up yesterday afternoon. Winds should be calm this week. Things can be different a month from now. Pray for healthy monsoons and we'll be dodging lightning bolts on Imogene.
Perhaps someone should reach out to the KOA folks and ask:
how they are doing.
What their plan is should the fires get under control and the forest reopens.
Will they keep reservations as they are or slide those with earlier dates effected by the fires sideways?
Hopefully they will get this under control (and some rain will happen). Ouray and Silverton really rely on the tourist business. As it is some folks will change plans just to be safe.
Wow,
reading this and not totally grasping the gravity, is it sounding like our event may get affected? My first Invasion, and it may not happen. That would be a bummer.
Kevin
1978 Cherokee Chief: Parents bought new. 360/TH400/NOS Quadratrac, 44's/ARB's/4.10's, SOA, Shackle Flip, Alcan Springs, FOX 2.0's, 35" BFG KM2s, custom bumpers, 324,000 miles and counting...
While it's just in the San Juan right now, the whole area is beyond parched. I wouldn't be surprised to see more fires spring up in surrounding areas if they don't get some rain soon.
I understand concerns and don't mean to blow it out of proportion. The 416 and Burro Fire is well away from Ouray. I called the KOA and they would not close unless there is an evacuation called by authorities. That all depends on the fires of the week or month around here in the summer. I am just saying it is a threat this year and could affect the Invasion by trail closures, highway closures (changes trail access) or something of that nature. I have been going up there since 2000 and never had a fire close out an area while there in July. 2000-2002 were parched and we had plenty of fires in the area that year. We have broken the 2000-2002 dry spell record this year. Yippie. The high meadow flowers may be drying up by 3rd week of July unless there is rain and the forecast is slim until monsoons.
bigun wrote:Flint how about you and Krista are you out of the line of fire so to speak?
We are about 25-30 miles from Burro and 30-35 miles from 416. Yes, we are good, thanks. Here is a view from the NE corner of our property. The big smoke is 416 beyond the La Plata Mountains which is between us and Durango. The lighter smoke to the left is Burro. Taken around 3:30 this afternoon.
The Public Information Office for the Forest Service has established a 24 hour hotline with a recorded message up today on fire restrictions: 970-874-6602.
fulsizjeep wrote: Here is a view from the NE corner of our property. The big smoke is 416 beyond the La Plata Mountains which is between us and Durango. The lighter smoke to the left is Burro. Taken around 3:30 this afternoon.
So those are not clouds? That's smoke from the fire?
rstep wrote:Thanks Flint,I know for down this way they are saying we have 1.7 inches coming this weekend so let's hope you all get it also.
Yeah man. Just did some research on Hurricane Bud and now really looking forward to some moisture from that. We currently have 20% chance for Thursday night.
will e wrote:So those are not clouds? That's smoke from the fire?
BTW, nice shot getting the hood ornament in
NOT clouds and there were several high mushroom plumes yesterday.
Thanks!
fulsizjeep wrote:This page is a good one to keep an eye on. It shows which trails are open/closed and in what National Forest; San Juan, Uncompaghre or San Miguel... https://soajeep.com/trail-maps-conditio ... onditions/
The Public Information Office for the Forest Service has established a 24 hour hotline with a recorded message up today on fire restrictions: 970-874-6602.