The Spruce Creek Fire was a wildfire that burned in Montezuma County, in the U.S. State of Colorado. It was active from May 14 until May 31, 2024, when it was declared 100% contained. It was the first fire of the 2024 Colorado wildfire season, and is currently the 2nd-largest as of August 2.
| Spruce Creek Fire | |
|---|---|
 A member of the Roosevelt Interagency Hotshot Crew at the fire on May 19 | |
| Date(s) |
|
| Statistics | |
| Perimeter | 100% contained |
| Burned area | 5,699 acres (2,306 ha; 9 sq mi; 23 km2) |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 0 |
| Ignition | |
| Cause | Lightning |
Progression
editThe fire started on May 14, approximately 11 miles northeast of Dolores.[1] From then to May 22, the fire rapidly spread, reaching 1,644 and then1,867 acres in coverage by the late hours of May 22.[2] 172 personnel were assigned to the fire.[3] Firefighters secured northern and western fire perimeters, and protected historic sites threatened by the fire. By May 23, the fire had reached 4,672 acres,[4] and on May 24, the fire had rapidly grown to 5,699 acres, its maximum size.[3] Firefighters shifted to containment of the fire on roads, and two aerial ignition teams were put into place to aid with the task.[3][5]
On May 25, the fire was declared 43% contained, and the number of personnel responding to the fire, dropped to 168.[6] A bulldozer was dispatched to repair roads damaged on covered as a result of the fire.[6] Fire activity began to slow down on May 26, and containment on the fires jumped to 63%. The bulldozer that was dispatched the day prior cleared roads in the Haycamp Mesa area.[7]
By May 27, the fire was 73% contained and fire crews patrolled the fire's outer perimeter, to contain it within its footprint.[8] Firefighters were able to contain 83% of the fire by May 28, and the area was reopened to the public.[9] The fire was then transferred back into the hands of the San Juan National Forest services, and the fire was deemed 100% contained by May 31.[10]
Growth and containment table
edit| Date | Area burned | Personnel | Containment | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22[3] | 1,867 acres (8 km2) | 172 | 0%
| ||
| May 24[3] | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | 172 | 0%
| ||
| May 25[6] | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | 168 | 43%
| ||
| May 26[7] | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | 173 | 63%
| ||
| May 27[8] | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | 167 | 73%
| ||
| May 28[9] | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | 146 | 83%
| ||
| May 29 | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | Unknown | 83%
| ||
| May 30 | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | Unknown | 83%
| ||
| May 31 | 5,699 acres (23 km2) | Unknown | 100%
|
References
edit- ^ "Spruce Creek fire burns nearly 5,000 acres in southwestern Colorado, sparks air quality alert". The Denver Post. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ Schafir, Reuben M. "Firefighters grow Spruce Creek Fire to 1,644 acres". Durango Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b c d e "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ Petelo, Aiga (2024-05-23). "Spruce Creek Fire grows overnight". KKCO11. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ "Spruce Creek fire in southwestern Colorado trapped between 2 forest roads, 38% contained". The Denver Post. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b c "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
- ^ Times-News, Hendersonville. "Spruce Creek - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Hendersonville Times-News. Retrieved 2024-08-03.