By admin Published July 29, 2016

Carbondale, Colo. – July 30, 2016 4:30 p.m. Update #5

The Sewell Mesa Fire has stayed at 20 acres and is 100% contained. Firefighters are in mop-up mode.  There are no active flames.

A hand crew will continue to work on the fire through tomorrow. At that time, the fire is expected to be out.

Highway 133 will be open in both directions after 8 p.m. tonight.  Tomorrow between 8 am and 6 pm, the southbound lane of Highway 133 will be closed approximately 4 miles south of Carbondale, between the BRB Campground and Red Dog Road. CDOT will allow alternating traffic in the northbound lane of Highway 133.

This is the last update that will be sent out unless conditions change.

###

Carbondale, Colo. – July 30, 2016 11:00 a.m. Update #4

The Sewell Mesa Fire is holding at 20 acres with 65% containment.

Today’s firefighting plan is to completely extinguish the fire and protect Highway 133 from rolling logs and falling rocks. All work is expected to be done with hand crews. A helicopter is not planned for today, but is on standby in case the need arises.

The southbound lane of Highway 133 is closed approximately 4 miles south of Carbondale, between the BRB Campground and Red Dog Road. CDOT is allowing alternating traffic in the northbound lane of Highway 133. The southbound lane is closed for the public’s safety.

There have been no structures lost and no injuries to firefighters or civilians.  All evacuations have been lifted.

The fire, in Pitkin County, is being managed by the Pitkin County Incident Management Team, along with representatives from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District, at the Carbondale Fire Station.  Valerie MacDonald, the Pitkin County Emergency Manager, is on scene at the Carbondale Fire Station.

Carbondale Fire Chief Ron Leach and Pitkin County Emergency Manager Valerie MacDonald remind the public that the fire danger is high in our area and urge people to exercise extreme caution.

Assisting Agencies include: Pitkin County Incident Management Team, Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department, Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District, Snowmass Wildcat Fire District, Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire, US Forest Service, Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control, Juniper Valley Fire Crew, White River Fire Module and Colorado Department of Transportation, Helena Fire Crew, Aspen Fire Department and Garfield County Sheriff’s Department.

The next update will be sent out after 4:00 p.m. today.

###

Carbondale, Colo. – Update #3 9:30 p.m.

The fire is still reported as 20 acres. The fire is now 25% contained.

Firefighting operations have concluded for the night. An engine and crew, along with a Pitkin County Deputy will be patrolling the area all night.

There have been no injuries or structures lost.

Engines and crews will be returning to work on the fire tomorrow morning. Due to fire operations near the highway, there may be intermittent single lane closures on Highway 133 in the fire area, after 6 a.m.

Campers from the KOA campground can return to the area.

The next press release will be sent after 10 am tomorrow.

###

Carbondale, Colo. – Update #2 5:45 p.m.

Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District is on scene of a 20 acre wildfire near Sustainable Settings, on Sewell Mesa.

A Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) made drop, and has returned to Grand Junction air base to reload and make another drop.  A helicopter is also working on this fire.

The fire is estimated at 10% containment. Currently, no structures are threated and no homes have been lost. Pre-evacuation notices were sent to homes in the Red Dog Road area.

Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District are asking all residents in the county to be fire aware due to the high wildfire danger in the area.

Mutual aid on scene is from Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Basalt Fire District, Snowmass-Wildcat Fire District, Aspen Fire Department, Upper Colorado River Fire Crew, Colorado Department of Fire Prevention and Control, US Forest Service Control and the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Department.

Updates will be sent out as they are available.

Carbondale, Colo. – Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District is on scene of a approximately five (5) acre wildfire near Sewell Mesa.

Mutual aid from local fire departments and a SEAT is in route. 

Updates will be released as we have them.