Mesa County 45 Fire

At approximately 17:00 hours on July 30th, 2020 Palisade Fire Protection District was dispatched for a working vegetation fire in the area of the 45 mile marker, eastbound I-70 near the Cameo exit. Squad 41 was first due, reporting a 10 x 10 fire on the right shoulder on a west facing slope and growing rapidly in size. The fire rapidly spread to heavy fuels atop the ridge and began making a run. Apparatus were limited in their attack due to access as the growing fire was moving away from the interstate and intensifying, and mutual-aid was requested from East Orchard Mesa Fire Protection District. Realizing structures were threatened, command requested a structure response from Clifton Fire Protection District and East Orchard Mesa. The fire caused evacuations of 20 homes in the Rapid Creek area above the fire. Within a short period, 7 additional agencies were dispatched for mutual-aid to control the fire. Colorado State Patrol and Mesa County Sheriff’s Officer shut down I-70 eastbound from the mile marker 42 and closed the on-ramp at exit 44 as well as access to the incident area. Wind, low RH, high temperatures and dense dry fuels were factors in the fire growing. 1 home, 4 outbuildings, and multiple power poles were consumed by the fire. Several aircraft were dispatched to assist in firefighting efforts, dropping retardant and water. DFPC MMA mapped the fire at 32 acres. The fire is under investigation.

Units on Scene:

Palisade: Squad 41, Brush 41 & Tender 41

East Orchard Mesa: Squad 61, Engine 61, Tender 61 & Brush 61

Clifton: Chief 21, Engine 22, Truck 21 & Brush 21

Lands End Fire Protection District: Brush 112 & Tender 111

DeBeque Fire Protection District: Engine 82 & Brush 82

Mesa County Sheriff Wildland Fire Team: 2220, Engine 103 & Engine 126

Bureau of Land Management: Engine 2412, H-1, H-2, Battalion 24

Air Resources: Air Attack 1BR, SEAT 838, SEAT 868, Helicopter 9FF (Type 3) & Helicopter 8HT (Type 1)

Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control: Tava Module: M-311, M-312, M-313 & Battalion 22

CDOT: 6,500 gallon tanker

Colorado State Patrol, Mesa County Sheriff, Palisade Police Department, Town of Palisade, Xcel Energy, Grand Valley Power & Grand Junction Regional Communication Center