Yesterday, the Decker Fire grew to 937 acres. Similar fire activity as Saturday is anticipated today.
On Saturday, sunny skies spurred fire activity on the Decker Fire, leading to some light growth that continued removing dead and down fuels from the landscape. The fire grew slightly on Saturday, gaining 37 acres on Saturday. The fire is currently at 937 acres, with 293 acres on the San Isabel National Forest and 634 acres on the Rio Grande National Forest.
Fire activity increased midday Saturday, with a majority of the growth occurring northward along the ridge and small uphill growth on the spot fires east of the ridge. The fire edge backed to the upper end of Lone Tree Creek burning up to the knob at Upper Rock Creek. Cloud cover tempered fire activity late in the afternoon. The fire remains mostly within the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness.
Clear skies, warm temperatures, and low relative humidity are expected again today. Similar fire activity as Saturday is anticipated on the Decker Fire. Direct sunlight will continue to be the driver for fire behavior. As fuel moisture in the dead and down fuel component decreases, primarily through solar heating, fire activity will increase. The fire behavior is mostly creeping, smoldering with some isolated torching and short runs.
On Sunday, Teton and Platte Canyon Wildland Fire Modules (WFM) will continue with indirect line along the wilderness boundary on the west flank. Juniper Valley hand crew and Wind Cave engine will continue constructing contingency lines along the Rainbow Trail on the east flank.
The US Forest Service estimates that areas within the Wilderness have up to 80% tree mortality from beetle-kill and blowdown. The Decker Fire is being managed to remove these high-risk fuels from the landscape for ecological benefit and to reduce the risk for catastrophic wildfire in the future.
The fire may be visible from both the US 50 and US 285 corridors. Motorists are asked to not stop in the roadway and be clear of the roadway before stopping to observe the fire. Please do not call 911 to report fire behavior on the Decker Fire or to request fire information. A fire information line is available for fire updates. Please call 911 for emergencies only.
Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures are expected to be around 58 degrees with humidity at 10-15%. West winds at 17-21 mph with gusts up to 20 mph are expected. Skies are expected to be clear through the day. Dry weather with unseasonably warm temperatures are likely through the coming week.
Real-time smoke information is available at bit.ly/deckerfiresmoke.
Today’s smoke forecast for Salida and Arkansas River Valley is available at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/CentralColorado.
There are no evacuations or closures at this time. Smoke may settle into the US Highway 50 corridor in the late afternoons or evenings. Drivers are encouraged to reduce speed near the fire if smoke affects visibility.
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