Colorado Wildfires Question?

[Gil Verwey]

I am going to Mt Zirkel this year again elk hunting and the wildfires appear to be pretty far east of Mt Zirkel.

In the reports I read they stated that there are many other wildfires going on as well. Does anyone have information on any fires in Routt National Forest or the MT. Zirkel Wilderness area?

Thanks
Gil

[4dogs]

Hi Gil, as of now there are eleven fires burning in the state. Nothing too close to Zirkel right now but anything can happen, the whole state is a tinder box and with all the beetle kill in Zirkel and Routt there is a ton of fuel. What part of Zirkel you going too? Ive hunted in there alot.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Thirteen as of last night. None reported in the area you're asking about, but with half of Colorado burning and the other half waiting for a spark, anything can happen. By August, who knows?

Good luck!

[Pete McMiller]

Does anyone have a link to a map of Colorado showing the fires?  I've looked at news reports but they only name the fires and rarely the specific location.  We can move our camp if we have to but it would be nice to know before we get there.

[Tater]

www.inciweb.org

   Check this link for Natl. Forest Fire info.

[Pete McMiller]

Thanks Tater,  So far it looks like we're safe.

[jhg]

Yup, inciweb is THE place to get the very best info on any fire anywhere.
  The maps they use are great. They also include a overview of planned actions which help you understand the fire behavior, how they will try to stop it. This can tell you a lot about how it might affect your area if it has not burned it already.

J-

[JJB2]

I'm moving to the area just north of Ft Collins next year and it's all burning...

Also, supposed to hunt just outside Pagosa this year...we'll see.

[fnshtr]

The High Park fire is heading in the direction of my planned hunt. I've been tracking it on the link above (inciweb).

I'm also concerned about the lack of rain so far this season. If that continues, so will the fires. Also since I plan to hunt high country, the amount of water available there is also a concern.

I just keep reminding myself... it's only hunting, and there are people's lives at stake. My thoughts and prayers go out to them.

[Gil Verwey]

I checked with an outfitter that works in my area and so far I am ok, but all it takes is a spark or lightning.  

The area I hunt is a tinder box from the pine beetle kill and a previous fire. If that goes up it will be a big raging fire.

Thanks for the info. I will check out the link.

[elkbreath]

And we are getting some incredible lightning storms too...

[elkbreath]

And we are getting some incredible lightning storms too...

[Gil Verwey]

Man I was camped at 11,200 ft and a lighting storm hit. Now that is scary in those Colorado mountains. I can't see how there are more fires with the lightning you get combined with that Pine Beetle kill.

[SCATTERSHOT]

Originally posted by JJB2:
I'm moving to the area just north of Ft Collins next year and it's all burning...

Should be out by then.

Thoughts and prayers to all affected.

[JJB2]

Yeah it'll likely be out but not sure what will be left of the area in which we've been looking to buy.  

My thoughts are certainly with all the people being affected around the country.  Rain already!!!

[SCATTERSHOT]

Yeah, we could sure use some! We had a little shower here in Denver last night, but not enough and in the wrong place. My heart goes out to all the folks displaced by the fire.

If there is any good news, it's that the Air National Guard is flying in a couple of C-130 tankers. Maybe that will help get a handle on some of this.

Where are you looking?

[Bill Kissner]

I am on the way to my camp north of Mancos. Came by the Colorado Springs fire today and it is huge! Over nighting in Alamosa and enjoying the cool mountain air in lieu of the last 2 days in the heat coming across MO and KS. Will be able to put an eye on the Pagosa and Mancos fires tomorrow. We just hope and pray the fires don't take any lives.

[Gil Verwey]

Patrick thanks for the web site. That really is good information.

My thoughts are also with those who's lives and property are in jeopardy. Some of these fires are massive.

I lived through a forest fire in the Pinelands in NJ. They evacuated my development and the fire came within several hundred yards of my home. Unless you have been close to one of these you can't believe how bad they can be.

Here is the picture from that fire a few hundred yards from my house. The street this picture was taken from was the street I lived on. I was one block further in the opposite direction of the fire trucks.

I didn't want to sound mercenary about these fires, but you also have to be logical when planning a hunt.

 

[pumatrax]

I'm in Westcliffe CO. ; we are in a VERY severe drought here ....we had 140 mph winds here last November and almost every trail through the mountains down here is impassible from downed trees...I've lived in CO. my entire 58 years and I've never seen it so devastated ....a lot of the creeks (and elk wallows) are DRY as a bone....just heard on the news 32,000 people have had to evacuate from the fire area in Colorado Springs...pray for rain my friends....