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Maureen Bonessa, Reporter
Aug 24 at 10:24 AM EDT

Morning update from Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Size: 10,233 acres
Containment: 41%

Special Note: A community meeting will be held today, Sunday, August 24th at 6 pm at the Dolores Community Center, 400 Riverside Ave, Dolores, CO 81323.

Current Situation: Fire activity was mostly limited to creeping and smoldering yesterday, although the Stoner Creek drainage still had active fire behavior due to morning direct sun and cloudless skies. Fire activity decreased with the arrival of thunderstorms and rainfall in the early afternoon. Overnight relative humidity recovery was high, and firefighters will see additional precipitation over the fire area for the next several days. Fire suppression activities over the coming days will be weather dependent with crews only working in areas that can be safely accessed.

Division A/E: Firefighters are using UAS (unmanned aerial systems) with IR (infrared) heat detecting technology in their mop up efforts and to keep an eye on the east side of the division. IR flights are still detecting isolated areas of heat near the control line in Division A, and firefighters are working to mop those up and further secure the fire perimeter.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1756045480000

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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Aug 23 at 3:17 PM EDT

Road 38, Westfork, Dolores County, CO From the Dolores County Line to the West Dolores Campground has been updated back to READY status from prior SET.” -Per the Dolores County Office of Emergency Management on Facebook at 9:45am.

Zone “Mavreeso” is now under READY status. This zone is visible on the Watch Duty map and the linked evacuation map.

https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/atlas/index.html?appid=2836095f048148d6943c43615bbcf76a&webmap=85418a3252284754b27d883fa37f4f3f

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Fire operations are going as planned. The Stoner Creek drainage is showing the most active behavior and crews are working on primary containment lines as well as secondary lines. A helicopter is being used to drop water on the spot fire on the east side of the drainage.

Photo shows the Stoner Creek drainage looking north and the steep, rugged terrain the fire is burning in, per Stoner Mesa Fire Information.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1755890275000

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Additional firefighters and equipment have arrived to help implement the incident management team's fire containment strategy as well as with structure protection plans along the Highway 145 and County Road 38 Corridors.

Operations Section Chief Matt Weakland shares a look at today's operational plan in this video. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19bDLjGusw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1755276558000

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Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 9 at 1:47 PM EDT

Incident Commander Pat Seekins shares a look at firefighting strategy, and the incident management team's priorities, including proactively implementing structure protection measures in Rico, the Highway 145 corridor and the County Road 38 Corridor.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19E2zXjwcY/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 9 at 11:26 AM EDT

The Stoner Mesa Fire has grown to 2,156 acres after increased activity yesterday.

With Red Flag Warnings in effect today, expect:

• More fire response vehicles on SH 145 and County Road 38.

• Additional fire activity this afternoon.

• Smoke in the area.

There are no current evacuations. Crews are working where conditions allow, building indirect Dozer Lines in Division T (South side), and using natural features to help limit spread toward Rico, per Stoner Mesa Fire Information. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EkMKxpfj2/?

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1754753162000

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Adam Johnson, Reporter
Aug 7 at 9:18 PM EDT

The Stoner Mesa Fire has increased in size to 833 acres, growing to the east and north along the southern edge of Stoner Creek.

Fire behavior has been extremely active once again through the hot afternoon hours. The photos in this post were taken late this afternoon by Field Operations Section Chief Lance Martin from an incident helicopter.

Because of the extremely remote, hazardous terrain, the team is identifying locations to establish indirect fireline farther away from the fire. An indirect strategy in these conditions is safer for firefighters and it will help improve the long-term probability of success. Today the San Juan Hotshots started scouting with the division supervisor looking at indirect options on Taylor Mesa, which would be a combination of existing roads, handline and dozer line.

Other crews are starting to carry out structure protection plans along the County Road 38 corridor between Mavreeso Campground and Dunton. Structure protection crews will be installing water tanks, pumps, hoseline and sprinklers in the coming days so that they are ready, if needed.

Also, a reminder that Stage 2 fire restrictions go into effect tomorrow (Friday, August 8th on the San Juan National Forest and multiple other jurisdictions, per Stoner Mesa Fire Information.

https://share.watchduty.org/i/57385?ts=1754615914000