Grand Junction Brush Fires

Antonio Archuleta Photo ©

On May 28th, 2020 Grand Junction Fire Department responded to multiple reports of spot fires near 26 Rd. & F 3/4 Rd. As units entered the area additional reports filled the communications center for additional fires north on 26 Rd. Additional resources were requested from Mesa County Sheriff Wildland, Clifton Fire Protection District and Lower Valley Fire District as fires began to increase in size and threaten structures which pulled further resources from Palisade Fire Protection District, Lands End Fire Protection District, and BLM. Additional fires were reported on 25 Rd. between G Rd. and I Rd. splitting resources. Command was unified and assigned divisions. Helicopter 9FF was utilized for bucket drops for 2 operational periods. Additional fires were reported to the west and Engine 2 was reassigned to handle with Chief 6. The fire is under investigation and is considered suspicious as a suspect was reported in the area on a bike lighting fires. No injuries were reported, and no occupied structures were damaged. Colorado State Patrol, Mesa County Sheriff and the Grand Junction Police Department aided with traffic control, command, investigation, and searching for a suspect. An engine crew was staged overnight to watch for flare ups.