Pine Gulch Fire

{{Infobox wildfire

| title = Pine Gulch Fire

| image = File:PineGulchFireAugust102020.jpg

| caption =The Pine Gulch Fire as seen from space on August 10, 2020

| location = Mesa County & Garfield County, Colorado, United States

| coordinates = {{Coord|39.336|-108.526|region:US-CO|display=inline,title}}

| reference = {{cite web|title=Pine Gulch Fire|url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6906/|website=InciWeb|access-date=28 August 2020}}

| cost =

| date = {{Start date|2020|07|31}}–{{End date|2020|09|23}}

| area = {{convert|139,007|acre|ha|0}}

| cause = Lightning strike

| landuse = Recreational

| buildings = 1 outbuilding

| injuries = 3 firefighters

| fatalities =

| evacuated =

| pushpin_map = USA Colorado

| pushpin_map_caption = Location of Pine Gulch Fire in Colorado

}}

The Pine Gulch Fire was a wildfire that burned in Mesa County and Garfield County, Colorado in the United States. The fire was started by a lightning strike and first reported on July 31, 2020, and quickly grew, resulting in the fire being named the largest wildfire in Colorado history, surpassing the 2002 Hayman Fire.{{cite web |last1=Flores |first1=Jessica |title=Pine Gulch Fire becomes largest wildfire in Colorado history, burning over 217 square miles near Grand Junction |url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/08/27/pine-gulch-fire-colorado-history-hayman-fire/3439350001/ |website=USA Today |accessdate=28 August 2020}} Almost seven weeks later, it was surpassed by the Cameron Peak Fire in Larimer County.{{Cite web|last=Kyle|first=Sarah|title=What we know Thursday: Cameron Peak Fire crews face 'critical winds and fire weather'|url=https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2020/10/15/cameron-peak-fire-update-thursday-what-we-know-wildfire/3661733001/|access-date=2020-10-15|website=The Coloradoan|language=en-US}}

The Pine Gulch Fire burned on private and public lands and threatened gas and oil drilling infrastructure. The fire resulted in the closure of highways, government-managed and recreational land, and the evacuation of rural residences in the fire zone. The fire was declared 100% contained on September 23, and all evacuation orders were lifted. In total, the fire burned {{convert|139,007|acre|ha|0|abbr=on}}.

Events

=July=

The Pine Gulch Fire was first reported on July 31, 2020, around 5:15 PM, in a remote area of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Mesa County, Colorado, approximately eighteen miles north of Grand Junction. Started by a lightning strike, the fire spread rapidly, fueled by hot weather, steep terrain, and drought stricken grass, sage, pinyon and fir.

=August=

Burning entirely on BLM land, within 24 hours the Pine Gulch Fire had grown to {{convert|280|acre|ha|0}}. Fire crews were only able to reach the fire area by foot, to build control lines, with the support of helicopters and planes dumping water and retardant.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire 280 acres, no containment - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52834/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=1 August 2020}} The next day, on August 2, the fire had grown spread north, burning on private land along a road.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire 1,020 acres, no containment - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52846/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=2 August 2020}} The fire was five percent contained, at {{convert|1,500|acre|ha|0}} by the morning of August 3. Mesa County Rd. X 1/2 after High Lonesome Ranch were closed.{{cite web |title=Type 2 team called in for Pine Gulch Fire - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52861/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=3 August 2020}}

The fire continued to grow, threatening oil and gas drilling infrastructure. A temporary flight restriction was put in place for the fire area on August 4.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update - 8/4/2020 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52890/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=4 August 2020}} The fire began burning northwards onto Horse Mountain. Air quality began to decline and an Air Quality Health Advisory was put in place for northern Mesa County and southwestern Garfield County.{{cite web |title=August 5 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52917/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=5 August 2020}} Within 36 hours the fire had grown to {{convert|11,846|acre|ha|0}} by the evening of August 5.{{cite web |title=August 6 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52951/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=6 August 2020}} Red Flag Warnings were put in place on the 6th and additional road closures were put in place. Smoke began to impact De Beque, Colorado and areas along Interstate 70.{{cite web |title=August 7 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/52974/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=7 August 2020}}

Extremely low humidity, high temperatures and strong winds enabled the fire to grow to over {{convert|20,000|acre|ha|0}} by the evening of August 7. The fire had moved down Forshay Gulch on the north side of Horse Mountain, before eventually spreading to Lion and Bledsaw Gulches and along 200 Rd.{{cite web |title=August 7 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53011/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=8 August 2020}} The fires continued growth resulted in evacuation warnings being put in place for residents in rural, western Garfield County and a small group of homes were evacuated along County Roads 200 and 202.{{cite web |title=Evacuations and pre-evacuations announced by Garfield County Sheriff - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53022/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=8 August 2020}} On August 9, evacuations were put in place for more residences in the area.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update 8/9/2020 evening - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53066/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=9 August 2020}}

A red flag warning was put into place on August 11 and the fire was seven percent contained. The fire began burning in closer to Roan Creek and on the south slope of Kimball Mountain.{{cite web |title=August 11 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53119/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=11 August 2020}} Red flag winds pushed the fire over {{convert|50,000|acre|ha|0}} on August 11.{{cite web |title=August 12 Pine Gulch Fire Update - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53133/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=12 August 2020}} On August 15, the fire burned onto Garfield Mesa and additional road closures were put in place. The air quality was impacted in Craig and Meeker.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Sunday, August 16 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53255/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=16 August 2020}}

The fire moved north of Fruita, resulting in more road closures. Air tankers began providing support, dumping retardant to slow the fire's spread.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, August 18, Tuesday - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53360/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=18 August 2020}} On August 18, residents on a portion of Roan Creek Rd were allowed to return to their homes. An evacuation warning was put in place for areas of County Road 205, Kimball Mountain Rd and County Road 256. A thunderstorm moved through the western flank and caused wind gusts up to 40 MPH in near Echo Lake, resulting in firefighters having to evacuate the area due to the fire's erratic behavior and fast spread. This caused the fire to grow to an estimated {{convert|125,000|acre|ha|0}}.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Wednesday, August 19 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53415/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=19 August 2020}} This growth resulted in additional evacuation orders in Garfield County for residents east of Highway 139 and closures of {{convert|639,111|acre|ha|0}} of BLM land north of Loma, Fruita, Grand Junction and Palisade.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Thursday, August 20 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53478/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=20 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Friday, August 21 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53567/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=30 August 2020 |date=21 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Programs: Fire and Aviation: Colorado: Northwest District Fire Restrictions |url=https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/northwest-district |website=Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=30 August 2020 |language=en |date=5 June 2019}}

By August 24, the Pine Gulch Fire was 44 percent contained.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Monday, August 24 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53853/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=24 August 2020}} Two days later, on August 26, Highway 139 reopened.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Wednesday, August 26 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/54039/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=26 August 2020}} The next day, suppression repair began. A flash flood warning was announced for the eastern portion of the fire due to forecasted thunderstorms. A small debris flow took place near Kimball Creek Rd.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Thursday, August 27 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/54131/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=27 August 2020}} On August 28, the fire had burned {{convert|139,006|acre|ha|0}} and was named the largest wildfire in Colorado history. The fire was 77 percent contained. Evacuation warnings were lifted for all areas west of Highway 139 to the Utah border and BLM closures were reduced.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Friday, August 28 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/54266/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=28 August 2020}}

=September=

On September 1, all evacuation orders were lifted.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update September 2, 2020 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/54766/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=3 September 2020 |date=2 September 2020}}

As of September 3, the fire had burned {{convert|139,007|acre|ha|0}} and was 83 percent contained. By September 9, the fire was 95 percent contained.{{cite web|url=https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/05/pine-gulch-fire-near-grand-junction-burns-more-than-5600-acres-is-5-percent-contained/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200914183554/https://www.kktv.com/2020/08/05/pine-gulch-fire-near-grand-junction-burns-more-than-5600-acres-is-5-percent-contained/|date=9 September 2020|archive-date=14 September 2020|title=Pine Gulch Fire 95 percent contained|last=Grewe|first=Lindsay|access-date=14 September 2020|work=KKTV 11}}

Impact

The Pine Gulch Fire resulted in the evacuation of residences, including along Roan Creek (CR 204) Rd. Numerous county roads were closed, as well as a portion of Highway 139.

File:Natural Gas Wells one of the values at risk on the Pine Gulch Fire 01.jpg

The Pine Gulch Fire impacted recreation, transportation, and energy infrastructure in the area. The fire resulted in the closure of roads. The fire threatened oil drills and gas wells. This resulted in gas wells being stopped from collecting gas on August 2 and fire crews implementing defensible space around them.{{cite web |title=Natural Gas Wells one of the values at risk on the Pine Gulch Fire - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/53013/ |website=InciWeb |publisher=Grand Junction Field Office Bureau of Land Management |accessdate=29 August 2020 |date=8 August 2020}}

The fire impacted air quality in Garfield, Moffat, Mesa and Rio Blanco Counties, including the communities of Craig and Meeker.

Firefighters sustained minor injuries.{{cite web |title=Pine Gulch Fire Update, Sunday, August 29 - InciWeb the Incident Information System |url=https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6906/54346/ |website=InciWeb |accessdate=31 August 2020 |date=29 August 2020}}

Gallery

2020 08 02-13.23.49.461-CDT.jpg|The Pine Gulch Fire on the evening of August 2

2020 08 03-14.03.10.571-CDT.jpg|The fire seen from Grand Junction Regional Airport with airplanes used for aerial firefighting in foreground on August 3.

2020 08 08-15.12.36.284-CDT.jpg|Fire activity on August 6.

2020 08 09-13.54.57.842-CDT.jpg|Fire activity from incident command on August 9.

2020 08 15-16.31.59.185-CDT.jpg|Fire growth on the southwest side of the Pine Gulch Fire on August 15.

2020 08 17-14.56.09.136-CDT.jpg|Firefighters during night operations on August 16.

2020 08 19-10.36.19.850-CDT.jpg|Activity on the northwest flank on August 19.

2020 08 20-13.36.49.193-CDT.jpg|The fire seen from Douglas Pass on August 20.

2020 08 21-16.09.19.862-CDT.jpg|A sign thanking firefighters.

2020 08 21-16.37.09.374-CDT.jpg|Information signs for the fire.

2020 08 21-17.01.04.404-CDT.jpg|Firefighters on August 21.

2020 08 21-18.38.02.864-CDT.jpg|Fire retardant for helicopters.

2020 08 26-18.04.37.947-CDT.jpg|Firefighters mopping up a hot spot on August 26.