DAILY UPDATE: Weber Fire
June 27, 2012, 9:45 a.m.
Investigation Continues in Weber Fire
Bureau of Land Management Law Enforcement Officers and Special Investigators continue to investigate the cause of the Weber Fire. The public will be notified as soon as a cause is determined.
The Weber Fire continued to burn overnight, with areas of active fire on the northwest and southeast flanks. Heavy fuels and favorable alignment with wind and terrain could cause increased fire activity in these areas later today. The total fire size is now 9,155 acres and is 30% contained.
Crews continue to work conducting burnout operations and constructing and strengthening fire line. No structures have been destroyed; evacuations remain in place. Mop-up and cold-trailing will also continue today. Steep terrain (and the risk of rolling embers) is making direct firefighting tactics unsafe in some areas. Instead, firefighters are gradually bringing fire down to established containment lines. Rocky Mountain Team C Incident Commander Joe Lowe praised the work of the over 500 people on the fire, stating: "Rough terrain, unpredictable weather, and heavy, dry fuels have made this a hard fought battle."
Residents and visitors should expect to see and smell smoke over the next several days. If health issues are experienced, residents are advised to stay indoors.
New phone numbers for the call center are (720) 425-5018 or (720) 219-8823. Fire information officers will be available to answer questions from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Additionally, a satellite information center is being staffed between 10:30a.m. and 5:30p.m. at the Mancos Community Center (130 Grand). Anyone wanting to view updated fire perimeter maps and meet with information personnel one-to-one are encouraged to stop by and visit.
Additionally, a community meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. this evening at the Mancos High School Performing Arts Center.
Highway 41 has been reopened. However, evacuated residents will still need an escort into their homes. Escorts will be provided by the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office between 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. All inquires relating to the evacuations should be directed to the Montezuma County Sheriff's Office at (970) 564-4996 or (970) 564-4999.
Information about this and other fires can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/. Follow us on Twitter @weberfireinfo.
Contact: Beth Hermanson, Public Information Officer
Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team C
Phone Number: (720) 425-5018 or (720) 219-8823
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Satellite Information Center: (Walk-in) Mancos Community Center 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
