Shawnee Peak Fire

[ParkBull]

#ShawneePeakFire is currently burning 37 acres east of Kenosha pass in a remote area near Shawnee Peak

https://psiccfireinfo.blogspot.com/2019 ... l?spref=tw

Monday, August 26, 2019
Fire Activity 8.26.19


Shawnee Peak Fire


Update 5:50pm, 8.26.19
Aircraft has flown over the fire and estimated the size to be 37 acres. Some isolated tree torching and spotting ahead of the fire has been observed. Firefighters on the ground are continuing to attempt to gain access to the fire.


Update 5pm, 8.26.19
A fire has been reported east of Kenosha Pass near the Shawnee Peak area. Crews are responding and currently trying to gain access the fire. The fire is burning in timber in a remote area of the National Forest. Fire is estimated at 20 acres
Edited to correct earlier info of fire west of Kenosha Pass
Time Reported: 3:15pm
Size: 37 acres
Location: Near Shawnee Peak, east of Kenosha Pass (edited to correct earlier info of fire being west of Kenosha)
Jurisdiction: USFS
Resources: Multiple engine from the Forest Service and Platte Canyon FD, 2 Type 3 Helicopter, 1 Hotshot Crew, 1 Air Attack
Containment:0%
Controlled: N/A
Structures Threatened: N\A
Evacuation: N\A
Closures: N/A
Cause: Unknown
Fuels:Timber
#ShawneePeakFire

[ParkBull]

Update 9pm, 8/26/19

Numerous additional crews have been ordered for the Shawnee Peak Fire. There are now a total of 3 Hotshot crews assigned to this fire. One of those crews is currently working the fire and the others will arrive tomorrow. 2 additional hand crews have been assigned to the fire and will also arrive tomorrow (8/27). Several additional helicopters have also been ordered and will be working the fire tomorrow.

[ParkBull]

Update 11pm, 8/26/19
The Shawnee Peak Fire is currently burning 40 acres in a remote area of the Lost Creek Wilderness. Today crews attempted to gain access to the fire on the ground as helicopters and fixed wing aircraft did aerial recon and used bucket drops to help slow the fires growth. The area that the fire is burning in is very steep and rugged with very limited access. Firefighters report this evening that the fire is currently smoldering and creeping with isolated torching. A video of an aerial recon has been added below.

Tomorrow firefighters will be shuttled in via helicopter to asses the strategies and tactics to ensure the safety of the planned operations as firefighter safety is always priority. Helicopters will be utilized to both shuttle crews to the fire and for bucket drops on the fire. There will be a task force of engine crews that will be doing structure assessment and preplanning in and around the community of Shawnee which is still approximately 4 miles from the fire.

[ParkBull]

Shawnee Peak Fire Update

Tuesday, August 27, 2019 – 9:30 p.m.

Pike National Forest


Current Situation: Cool temperatures and higher humidity kept fire behavior to a minimum last night. Firefighters were transported to the fire earlier today to begin constructing fireline. The fireline will tie into natural fuel breaks with the intent of keeping the fire below the ridgeline. Structure crews began assessing homes for fire risk in the Shawnee Community. Crews will stay in a spike camp near the fire overnight and resume operations in the morning.

Due to better mapping, the size of the fire is now at 37 acres.

Weather: A red flag warning (high winds and low humidity) is predicted for tomorrow.

Predicted smoke impacts: Smoke is likely to settle in the valley along Highway 285 north of the fire.

Values at risk: None at present. The town of Shawnee, located about three miles away, contains approximately 150 structures

Management Strategy: The Shawnee Peak Fire Management Team is working under a unified command with the Park County Sheriff’s Department. A full-scale suppression strategy has been implemented, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success. Firefighters will utilize natural fire barriers and incorporate trails for the fireline perimeter.

Resources: Four engines (2-Forest Service, 2-Platte Canyon Fire Protection District); 2-Helicopters; 4-Interagency Hotshot Crews; and 2-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews. Total personnel are 159.

Structures Threatened: N\A

Evacuation: N\A

Closures: Per Park County Sheriff's Office, the following trail heads have been closed: Payne Creek/Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, North Ben Tyler, Rock Creek, Long Gulch, and North Fork. The following trails have been closed: Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, Craig Park, Ben Tyler and Payne Creek. There is not a closure at this time of the Colorado Trail and wilderness trails to the south.

Fuels: Timber

[ParkBull]

#ShawneePeakFire

Location: Park County, east of Kenosha Pass, southwest of Shawnee, CO

Time Reported: approximately 3:15 p.m., Mon. Aug 26, 2019

Size: 37 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 159

Cause: unknown

Jurisdiction: USDA-Forest Service, Pike National Forest

Cooperating Agencies: Park County


Yesterday: Firefighters made excellent progress constructing handline along the west, north and east side of the fire perimeter. They worked on constructing indirect fireline from the southwestern and southeastern fire perimeter to the Craig Park Trail #68 due to hazardous conditions consisting of numerous snags and steep and rocky terrain along the southern fire perimeter. Several spot fires to the northwest and east of the fire were fully lined with assistance of helicopter water drops. A structure taskforce worked on assessing homes for fire risk and began hazardous fuel mitigation within the Shawnee community.

Today: Crews will continue fireline construction as well as securing existing firelines. The structure taskforce will continue home assessment and hazardous fuel mitigation operations.

Weather: A red flag warning is in effect today from noon through 8:00 pm. Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s, relative humidity less than 10%, and winds up to 20 miles per hour.

Predicted smoke impacts: Smoke is likely to settle in the valley along Highway 285 north of the fire.

Values at risk: None at present. The town of Shawnee, located about four miles away, contains approximately 150 structures

Management Strategy: The Shawnee Peak Fire Management Team is working under a unified command with the Park County Sheriff’s Department. A full-scale suppression strategy has been implemented, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success. Operations include direct and indirect fireline construction while utilizing natural fire barriers to keep the fire within the lined area.

Resources: Four engines (2-Forest Service, 2-Platte Canyon Fire Protection District); 5-Helicopters; 4-Interagency Hotshot Crews; and 2-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews. Total personnel are 159.

Structures Threatened: N\A

Evacuation: N\A

Closures: The following trailheads have been closed: Payne Creek/Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, North Ben Tyler, Rock Creek, Long Gulch, and North Fork. The following trails have been closed: Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, Craig Park, Ben Tyler and Payne Creek. There is not a closure at this time of the Colorado Trail and wilderness trails to the south.

[ParkBull]

Update 9:30 p.m., 8/28/19

The fire became more active today due to the increased temperatures and low humidities. Firefighters still made good progress as they continued work on reinforcing existing firelines.

[ParkBull]

Location: Park County, east of Kenosha Pass, southwest of Shawnee, CO

Time Reported: approximately 3:15 p.m., Mon. Aug 26, 2019

Size: 46 acres

Containment: 10%

Total Personnel: 219

Cause: unknown

Jurisdiction: USDA-Forest Service, Pike National Forest

Cooperating Agencies: Park County

#ShawneePeakFire

Yesterday: There was moderate fire activity with creeping, smoldering, and isolated and group torching. This produced more smoke, especially in the afternoon and early evening hours. Firefighters completed direct and indirect lines around the fire area. Firefighters completed structure assessments in Shawnee and continued work on hazardous fuel mitigation in the area.

Today: The fire is expected to continue to burn within the direct and indirect firelines. Firefighters will patrol firelines, monitor for, and take action on any new fire starts outside the fire perimeter. Firefighter crews working in the Shawnee community will work toward completing hazardous fuel mitigation work. In addition, some resources will be available to assist on initial attack for any new fire starts not related to this fire.

Weather: Sunny in the morning becoming cloudy in the afternoon with a slight chance of thunderstorms after 3:00 p.m. Temperatures in the high 80s and minimum humidity at 10 percent.

Predicted smoke impacts: Smoke is likely to settle in the valley along Highway 285 north of the fire.

Values at risk: None at present. The town of Shawnee, located about four miles away, contains approximately 150 structures

Management Strategy: The Shawnee Peak Fire Management Team is working under a unified command with the Park County Sheriff’s Department. A full-scale suppression strategy has been implemented, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success. Operations include direct and indirect fireline construction while utilizing natural fire barriers to keep the fire within the lined area.

Resources: Four engines (2-Forest Service, 2-Platte Canyon Fire Protection District); 6-Helicopters; 3-Interagency Hotshot Crews; 2-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews; and 1-Wildfire Module. Total personnel are 219.

Structures Threatened: N\A

Evacuation: N\A

Closures: The following trailheads have been closed: Payne Creek/Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, North Ben Tyler, Rock Creek, Long Gulch, and North Fork. The following trails have been closed: Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, Craig Park, Ben Tyler and Payne Creek. There is not a closure at this time of the Colorado Trail and wilderness trails to the south.

[ParkBull]

South Platte Ranger District Closes Area Around
Shawnee Peak Fire for Public Safety Ahead of Archery Season

Conifer, Colo., August 29, 2019 – For Immediate Release. The South Platte Ranger District of the Pike National Forest in Park County today implemented a closure order for an area around the Shawnee Peak Fire. The closure encompasses an area approximately from the Ben Tyler Trailhead southwest to Trail 608 along Craig Creek, then southeast to Brookside Gulch and finally northwest along Highways 285 and 64. The closed area includes the Ben Tyler Trailhead and Trail; Trails 608, 607, and 719; and the roads between the Lost Creek Wilderness boundary and Highways 285 and 64.

Archery season for deer and elk opens on Saturday, August 31. Hunters, especially those having tags for Game Management Unit 501, should review the closure area and adjust plans accordingly as the entire area is closed to all public use including hunting.

The Shawnee Peak Fire was reported on August 26, 2019 and was last reported at 46 acres and 10 percent contained.

Copies of the closure order and maps are available at the South Platte Ranger District, the Forest and Grasslands Headquarters (Pueblo), and the Pike/San Isabel/Cimarron/Comanche’s website.

[ParkBull]

Update 6:00 p.m., 8/29/19

Smoke is starting to push down into the valley with the development of an inversion layer. This will continue overnight and into the early morning.

[ParkBull]

Location: Park County, in the Lost Creek Wilderness, east of Kenosha Pass, southwest of Shawnee, Colo.

Time Reported: approximately 3:15 p.m., Mon. Aug 26, 2019
Size: 50 acres
Containment: 40%
Total Personnel: 208
Cause: unknown
Jurisdiction: USDA-Forest Service, Pike National Forest
Cooperating Agencies: Park County

Yesterday: Fire activity continued to be moderate with creeping, smoldering, and isolated and group torching. Firefighters completed reinforcement of the fireline east of the fire and south along the Craig Creek Trail by burning out unburned fuel between the fire and the fireline. Firefighters also completed work on hazardous fuel removal around structures and debris cleanup.

Today: The fire will continue to burn as it moves through unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and constructed firelines and natural fuel breaks. Fire activity will be monitored throughout the day.

Weather: Temperatures are expected to reach around 75 degrees, with westerly winds at 6-10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Scattered thunderstorms are possible after noon, which could create erratic winds near the areas of the storms.

Predicted smoke impacts: Smoke is likely to settle in the valley along Highway 285 north of the fire during the early morning hours and will dissipate as the morning inversion layer lifts.

Values at risk: None at present. The town of Shawnee, located about four miles away, contains approximately 150 structures

Management Strategy: The Shawnee Peak Fire Management Team is working under a unified command with the Park County Sheriff’s Department. A full-scale suppression strategy has been implemented, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success. Operations include direct and indirect fireline construction while utilizing natural fire barriers to keep the fire within the lined area.

Resources: Five engines; 6-Helicopters; 3-Interagency Hotshot Crews; 2-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews; and 1-Wildfire Module. Total personnel are 208.

Structures Threatened: N\A

Evacuation: N\A

Closures: The Pike and San Isabel National Forests issued a formal fire closure order for the area around, the Ben Tyler North trailhead and trails within the Shawnee Peak Fire. The closure does not include the Colorado Trail. All closed trails and trailheads are depicted on the closure map. A copy of the order and closure map is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices and scroll down to Closures.