The current size of the Decker Fire is 8,910 acres with 100% containment.

There are currently 539 personnel on this incident.

Approximately 4” of snow fell in camp, with higher accumulations up in the area of the fire. Crews will hold in camp until noon, at which time the team will re-evaluate whether it is safe to send firefighters out into the field. It is important to remember that the fire is NOT out, and smoke from larger diameter fuels will continue to be visible.

As of 8:00 am, the Chaffee County Sheriff cancelled all Stage 2 Fire Restrictions within unincorporated Chaffee County. Residents are reminded that this does not include lands within the USFS or BLM boundaries.

All pre-evacuation orders which were in place for Chaffee County residents are also lifted.

The focus in all areas of the fire is switching from suppression to suppression repair and backhaul of equipment. This involves clearing and chipping brush, repairing dozer and handlines, and installing erosion control measures, as well as removing pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and “pumpkin” water tanks.

A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team continues conducting assessments in the area of the fire. A BAER assessment addresses post-wildfire threats to life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and takes immediate actions to implement emergency stabilization measures before the first major storms.

Fire activity continues to taper off and containment is now being reported at 100%. Snow overnight helped curb fire behavior. Smoke will continue to be visible as the larger diameter fuels within the interior of the fire continue to smolder, and winds will continue to be a factor. Due to the diminished threat of the fire spreading, crews will no longer operate after dark. Structure protection equipment is being picked up in many areas where it has been determined that the threat has diminished to the point that it can be removed. Some “pumpkin” water tanks may remain, but all pumps and hose were pulled to protect equipment from the predicted snowstorm.

The spot fire in the SE corner continues to display minimal activity with occasional smoke, and the area of active fire near Simmons Peak exhibited very little movement for the past several days. The fire along the “minimal risk, limited action” brown line on the N/NW side will continue to be monitored. Suppression repair is ongoing, with water bars being installed in some areas for erosion protection.

Closures and Public Safety: For road closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County, please refer to the following resources.

• San Isabel Forest closures
• Rio Grande Forest closures
• BLM closures

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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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