Dinosaur, CO and Jensen, UT- Fire crews at Dinosaur National Monument continue to respond to three fires reported yesterday. Quick response from multiple agencies and last night's high humidity have helped with suppression efforts.
The Hog Canyon Fire, located on the Yampa Plateau, is estimated to be 75.7 acres. Five smoke jumpers, three engines, and a 20 person Type 2 crew from the Gila National Forest in New Mexico are on site. An additional Type 2 crew is on order from the Lewis and Clark National Forest in Montana. After yesterday's successful air drops of fire retardant, handcrews will focus on suppression efforts on the ground. Helicopters are providing logistical support to the crews who have hiked in. There is no percentage of containment for the Hog Canyon Fire at this time.
The Island Park Fire, located near Rainbow Park, is reported as 100% contained with a revised acreage of 4.7 acres. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) crews continue to monitor the fire and work towards controlling it.
The Quarry Fire, located near Orchid Draw and over a mile from the dinosaur quarry, has been contained and controlled at one tenth of an acre. Crews will monitor the area to ensure there is no possibility for re-ignition before declaring the fire out.
A fourth fire, the Round Top Fire, was reported today in steep terrain on the Colorado side of the monument. It is estimated to be approximately 2/10 of an acre and is being monitored.
All fires are located in remote portions of the monument without any threat to monument visitors or structures. No evacuations are in effect at this time. Visitors to the monument and residents of the nearby communities of Vernal, Roosevelt, and Rangely may see smoke rising from the Split Mountain area. Depending on winds and temperatures, smoke may also settle in the river canyons.
The fires have not impacted visitor services or facilities. For more information about Dinosaur National Monument, call (435) 781-7700.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
