The Decker Fire, burning 9 miles south of Salida, was accurately mapped yesterday night via infrared at 1,150 acres.

A closure order is now in effect for portions of the Decker Fire area on National Forest lands to protect natural resources and public safety.

The closure includes portions of Forest Service roads 101 and 101A on National Forest Lands and the Rainbow Trail south of Forest Service road 108 to the 1403 Trail. 

Teton’s wild land fire modules and the Platte Lock will continue to connect the roads and streets with contingency line to keep the fire on the west side. The ” Hotshots,” or specialized firefighters, and the juniper valley team will move towards rainbow trail and implement fire operations if necessary.

They will also continue to remove fuels along the rainbow trail on Camino 101 to columbine trail. More South on the rainbow trail, Pike’s “Hotshots” and the wind cave car 629 watch options for direct line to connect them in natural traits like wet drains in bear creek. These actions meet the management goals to keep the fire in the Sierra and outside of risk areas.

The dead and down fuel component continues to be the main driver for fire activity. 

Today’s forecast calls for sunny skies, warm temperatures and low relative humidity. Without clouds, the fire will be more active.

The Decker Fire is being used to remove high risk fuels from the landscape to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the future. 

Fire and smoke will continue to be seen from Salida and the Highway 50 and 285 corridors.