West Fork Fire Complex Update from US Forest Service

We expect that today will be similar to yesterday. We will likely see a column developing this afternoon as heat builds and wind increases. Here is the Forest Service Release from Last night:

NOTE:  Many of you are receiving news on these fires for the first time. For more background on the fire, please go to www.acemergency.org where we have been posting news releases, maps, photos, and closure orders. We are getting all this information added to Inciweb at www.inciweb.nwcg.org also.

West Fork Fire Complex Update -- June 19, 2013, 6:30 PM

When the Red Flag conditions developed this afternoon, both fires in the West Fork Complex became very active. The West Fork fire demonstrated extreme fire behavior and moved deeper into the Weminuche Wilderness.  As of 6:30, the fire had not crossed the Continental Divide. This fire generated the majority of smoke that was seen today.

The Windy Pass Fire moved north up Treasure Creek and eastward to the west side of Lane Creek. This advance has the fire burning within ¼ mile of the closest infrastructure at Wolf Creek Ski Area. Firefighters are attempting to hold the fire south of the Continental Divide and the ski area. Additional resources for structure protection are being ordered to supplement what is already in place. No structures have been damaged or lost. Highway 160 is still open, though visibility may be limited at times.

Nighttime wind patterns tend to pull smoke into the valleys; if this occurs, the smoke is likely to be heavier in the San Luis Valley tonight and tomorrow morning.

Heavy smoke was making it difficult for aircraft to accurately assess the exact perimeter of the fires.

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Pam Wilson

Fire Information Officer

970-731-2745