Fire crews reported suppressing the spread of the Stoner Mesa Fire on its western edge yesterday, in turn preventing a Level 2 evacuation order for County Road 38 from escalating. Even so, spot fires have remained a problem.
After spot fires jumped across a dozerline near the Stoner Mesa Trail on the west side of Stoner Creek, a Level 2 evacuation was ordered by Dolores County for about 4 miles on County Road 38 yesterday early afternoon. Additional crews were called in to assist. A combination of hand lines, dozer lines and aerial retardant drops kept the fire at bay.
Even so, one spot fire is active in the Stoner Creek drainage, and crews are actively planning how to tackle the flame. Officials report daily spot fires as of recently.
According to a Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 public information officer, Hotshot crews are assessing the active spot fire. Aerial support may be called in, she said.
For quicker response times in the area, a new spike camp is being set up on Stoner Mesa.
“They're taking precautionary steps to hold and to box in the fire to prevent it from spreading any further,” the PIO said.
Three levels of evacuation
Level 1: “Ready.” Be prepared. Have a go-kit of everything you’ll need to bring, such as medications, important documents, food and water. Stay updated with alerts, reduce the flammability of your home and plan ahead.
Level 2: “Set.” Be ready to leave. A wildfire is close by, so conditions could change rapidly. Follow alerts, have your go-kit in the vehicle and review a planned evacuation route.
Level 3: “Go.” Leave immediately. Take everything you need. Closely follow instructions from fire and emergency officials.
Source: https://dolocnty.colorado.gov/stoner-fire-information
Fire officials reported progress made overall. While the fire has reached 9,872 acres, containment has inched along as well, now at 27%.
Although the fire’s western corner has seen an uptick in activity, other work continues.
More containment lines are planned for the fire’s southern flank, including dozer lines on Road 201.
Growth on the fire’s east side has been largely halted, with containment reported in an area leading up to the West Twin Spring Trail. Mop up work is being carried out and firefighters reduce the risk of possible hazard trees that pose a risk of falling.
Elsewhere on the fire’s eastern side mop up is active along Road 545, with small spot fires that broke out in the area yesterday contained.
Further west of the fire, new line construction is ahead off Stoner Mesa and Taylor Mesa into the Stoner Creek drainage.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to be replaced with gradually increasing moisture flowing in from the southwest. Possible thunderstorms could be ahead for midday, accompanied by winds of up to 35-40 mph. Lightning strikes are also a possibility. Conditions will support overnight burning.
For today and tomorrow, wind direction for smoke is expected to create overall good to some moderate air quality index levels in Cortez. Air quality is expected to be more harsh in Dolores, with overall moderate to some unhealthy AQI levels.
