Jordan Fire Update
Incident: Jordan Wildland Fire
Released: 8/29/2008
Aug. 29, 2008
Contact: Punky Moore, Public Information Officer, (530) 228-0299
Jordan Fire Update
MEEKER, Colo. - The Jordan Fire seven miles northwest of Meeker has grown to 679 acres and is five percent contained. It started Aug. 25 after thunderstorms and lightning passed over the area. It is located in the rugged Windy Gulch Wilderness Study Area outside Meeker.
The Northwest Colorado Fire Management Unit is one of 30 sites this season testing proposed modifications to the Federal Wildland Fire Implementation Policy. The proposed changes allow managers a full range of management options on fires started by lightning on federal lands.
When the Jordan Fire started, managers evaluated the fire given the location, terrain, weather, proximity to private property and the potential to spread. Officials decided to seize the opportunity to manage the fire with multiple objectives under the direction of the pilot program. This means portions of the fire would be managed for resource benefits while actions would be taken when necessary to stop the fire from spreading to other areas. \
Today, fire personnel will hold and secure the south portion of the fire and continue to construct fireline on the east. Firefighters will continue to protect structures along County Road 7. The north and west side of the fire will be monitored from the air.
Fire crews will attempt to minimize impacts on the land resources in the Wilderness Study Area. They will use Minimum Suppression Tactics (MIST) which may include cutting shrubs and trees only when necessary, constructing fireline to minimal width and depth to check fire spread and minimizing bucking of logs.
The general weather forecast is hot and dry with occasional gusty wind through Saturday. There is a significant chance of moisture for the area Sunday and Monday.
Seventy-one personnel from several agencies are assigned to the fire including BLM, US Forest Service, National Park Service, and Colorado State. Rio Blanco County Emergency Services is also available to provide assistance on the incident.
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