I-70 Wildland Fire

Antonio Archuleta Photo ©

At Approximately 11:15 on August 15th, 2018 Palisade Fire Protection District was dispatched on a reported brush fire in the area of I-70 Exit 46, RP reported a fire the size of a dumpster between the river and interstate off the westbound lanes. Multiple calls began flooding the call center for large flames and smoke. Squad 41 arrived on scene to a large working vegetation fire, called for additional resources from Clifton Fire and called Cameo Command. Clifton Fire was unable to assist due to other calls in their district. East Orchard Mesa offered up a tender and brush truck while DeBeque offered up a tender and type 3 engine. Mesa County Fire Marshal responded and paged the county fire team. BLM was requested to respond due to the fast moving nature of the fire. Plateau Valley Fire was requested to assist as well. Crews battled winds, dry fuels, fire runs and spot fires throughout the day. DFPC Battalion 22 was one of the first units on scene with Squad 41 and assisted with command. I-70 was initially reduced to one lane westbound to help create a buffer zone for firefighters. As the fire continued to grow the interstate was eventually shut down entirely for over four hours.

Units on Scene:

Palisade(Primary): Squad 41, Engine 41, Tender 41, Brush 41 & Chief 42

Plateau Valley Fire Protection District: Chief 91, Tender 92 & Brush 92

DeBeque Fire Protection District: Engine 82 & Tender 81

East Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District: Chief 62, Brush 61 & Tender 61

BLM: Engine 2411, Engine 2613, Engine 5463 (NM-ROD) & Helicopter 9FF

Mesa County Sheriff Wildland: SAM_2220, Engine 102, Engine 103 & Engine 126,

Mesa County Sheriff: 2857 (CO-MS), SAM_2231, 2183, 2415, 2437, 2460 & 2493

Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation & Colorado Parks and Wildlife