Iron Fire Update for 10/01/2023

Contact: Iron Fire Information Officer (720) 679-4234

Location: Approximately 18 miles Northwest of Craig, Colorado

Jurisdiction: Bureau of Land Management, Little Snake Field Office, Private, Moffat County

Discovered: 09/29/2023 11:56 a.m.

Containment: 30%

Vegetation Type: Grass, Sagebrush

Estimated size: 7,361 acres

Threatened Structures: 6

Current Status: The Iron Fire had minimal fire growth on Saturday, September 30th despite high winds that grounded aircraft. The fire did not have significant growth outside of the Initial Attack footprint, with most activity occurring in interior islands of previously unburned fuels. Firefighters made progress in fire containment and suppression efforts. The increase in cloud cover and precipitation has lessened the fire behavior and has given firefighters the opportunity to increase fire containment safely. The Moffat County Sheriff’s Office, Moffat County Road and Bridge, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC), and Bureau of Land Management Northwest District Fire and Aviation have worked seamlessly throughout the Iron Fire. Due to these collaborative efforts firefighter and public safety was prioritized and maintained. Firefighters will remain on scene until 100% Containment is achieved. There are 45 firefighters currently on the Iron Fire.

Planned Actions: Engines, Hand Crews, and Heavy Equipment are working towards 100% Containment. Heavy Equipment continues to create direct fire line to increase containment while Engines and Hand Crews are mopping up and extinguishing along the fire’s edge. Once containment increases and fire lines are secure the BLM, Moffat County and the DFPC will assess the need for suppression repair on the heavy equipment cut lines. Suppression repair actions occur immediately post-fire to repair damages and minimized potential soil erosion or other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities.

Evacuations: No evacuations. Closures: Moffat County Road 17 is closed from County Road 7 to County Road 3. County Road 5 is closed from County Road 3 to County Road 7 for Firefighter and Public safety. Please observe closures and do not drive around or remove barricades.

Smoke: Smoke will be visible from Highway 13 and County Roads 3 and 7 but is not anticipated to impact any roadway directly.  Go to https://www.airnow.gov/ to view local airsheds and National Smoke Report.

Aviation Safety: Aircraft may still be used on the Iron Fire, as weather and winds allow. Fire aviation resources are flying at different altitudes and speeds. Pilots should exercise caution when flying near wildfires to keep everyone safe. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones must never fly near wildfires, as UAS are difficult to see and drone pilots have no way of communicating with firefighting aircraft. The only UAS or drones able to fly are agency-owned and operated and have been assigned to work on the wildfire and have communication with air operations. Remember if you fly, we can’t!