Single Publication

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Public Information Officer, Glen Sachet, (970) 823-4060

Bucktail Fire Update – August 4, 2024, 11:00 a.m. 

Nucla, Colorado, 

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 3,515 acres

Percent Contained: 5%

Resources Assigned: 154 personnel

Crews (4); Engines (6); Water tenders (2); Air Resources (3); Heavy Equipment (5)

Special Thank you to the local communities. Your support has been amazing!

Yesterday: On the west flank of the fire, firefighters continued to build fire line northward. Along the southern flank, fire fighters built fire line toward Bucktail Creek. Two helicopters worked to cool hotspots with water drops. Firefighters scouted out fire line locations for the next day’s work. While the fire grew approximately 200 acres yesterday, the growth slowed significantly from the previous day’s due to firefighters work and weather changes.  

Today: Like yesterday, there are two divisions of firefighters. One division is continuing to work northward along the west side and the second division is working eastward along the southeast side. Firefighters will continue to scout for fire line options. Helicopters will continue to drop water on hot spots to check the fire’s spread. Fire managers anticipate this to continue for the next several days. 

Weather: Partly cloudy till noon. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. At 8000 ft. temperatures will range from 73-83F with minimum relative humidity 22-32%. At 6000 ft. temperatures will range from 86-96 with minimum relative humidity 16-26%. Winds will be upslope 4-8 mph after 11 a.m. with more erratic and gusty winds where thunderstorms are present. 

Evacuations: None.

 Closures:  Road closures are in place within the area of the fire. County Road 25 Mesa is now closed due to emergency operations on the Bucktail Fire. The closure extends from the 25 Mesa/Divide Road intersection to where the pavement starts on 25 Mesa outside of Nucla. Houser Cow Camp Road is closed, down to Old Highway 90 (https://www.facebook.com/MontroseCountySO). A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If You Fly We Can’t Fly https://knowbeforeyoufly.org/home

Smoke Information: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has issued another Air Quality Health Advisory for Wildfire Smoke in Montrose County. Visit https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_advisory.aspx for details. For more information on current air quality got to Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov) and zoom in on Southwest Colorado. 

Fire Prevention: Fire managers would like to remind everyone to be attentive to their actions and surroundings, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees. Preventing human-caused fires is the most important thing anyone can do to help firefighters. Check for local fire restrictions. Practice smart wildfire prevention behavior including never leaving a campfire unattended, and ensuring their fires are completely out and cold. Make sure trail chains don’t drag because, every spark can start a fire!