The Decker Fire was less active yesterday than previous days. Helicopters were able to fly and drop water over the fire for most of the day. 

Crews made good progress on construction of both dozer and handlines. Crews successfully constructed direct handline and some dozer lines around most of the fire reaching toward Bear Creek. Firefighters worked to improve existing road systems, and structure protection crews assessed homes in the community of Howard. There will be a strong presence of structure protection crews performing assessments and structure prep work in Howard and surrounding communities today. 

Aircraft will be utilized today as much as possible, although wind could ground them throughout the day. 

There are multiple road closures around the Decker Fire are in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache Counties. 

The potential for winds to carry fire eastward today promoted a pre-evacuation notice for the communities of Howard, Pine Ridge, Wellsville, and Swissvale yesterday afternoon.

More resources arrived on the fire yesterday. There are now 730 people working the Decker Fire.

A Red Flag Fire Warning has been issued for today. Strong winds are predicted, gusting to 45 mph.  This could increase fire behavior. Our entire area is under Stage II Fire Restrictions. No open flame of any type is allowed, even charcoal grills. 

The Decker Fire is listed at 5,921 acres with 5 percent containment. 

The evacuation center is being moved to the Rotary Scout Hut in Riverside Park in Salida. The evacuation center will be open today and tomorrow from 12 noon to 4 pm and Monday through Wednesday 4 pm to 7 pm. Residents who have been impacted by the Decker Fire should visit the Rotary Scout Hut to access current information regarding Public Health, Human Services, Housing Support and more. 

130 homes have been evacuated so far affecting over 300 people. 

Sheriff Spezze has now confirmed one structure lost in Chaffee County. This structure was not in the evacuation area but was close to the boot on private land that is surrounded by public lands. One structure has been lost in Fremont County (Bear Creek) and one in Chaffee County.

The threat for moderate to heavy smoke will increase again this afternoon for southeastern Chaffee and northwestern Fremont Counties, so an Air Quality Health Advisory has been extended through Sunday morning. 

The Colorado Department of Transportation has issued a speed reduction to 40 mph on Highway 50 just east of Salida to Wellsville. The speed limit has also been reduced to 40 mph on Highway 285 heading south of Poncha Springs over Poncha Pass. 

The Royal Gorge Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management has issued an emergency temporary closure for BLM lands south of Highway 50. The temporary emergency closure includes public lands located south and southwest of Highway 50 in the Salida and Wellsville area including areas such as Methodist Mountain and Bear Creek.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is also urging the public not to park along the highways to look at or take pictures of the Decker Fire. The highways must be kept clear with no obstructions for fire and emergency personnel and equipment moving in the area. 

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Dan R

Danny “Dan R” Ridenour has been in radio and television broadcasting for over 40 years, starting as a senior in high school in Rogers, Arkansas. His radio career has had stops in Nashville, Memphis, Oklahoma, and eventually, Colorado. Dan enjoys being involved in the community, having been a member of the Upper Arkansas Service Club and is currently on the board of directors for the Salida Community Center and is a member of the Chaffee County Fair Committee. He and his wife Carrie spend their days doing everything the mountains have to offer: hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. They've raised 3 children and have 2 grandchildren.

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