Official update from the #Tenderfoot2 Fire team. Of note: The cause of the fire appears to be a failed insulator on the power line, which sent sparks into the grass. Also, 120 firefighters remain on scene to deal with any hot spots and begin the mop up. Aircraft are on standby, although you may see helicopter bucket drops if necessary. Press Contact: Marcia Gilles (970) 306-8689
Fire Information:
inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5620/
Facebook: WhiteRiverNF or Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue
Twitter: @WhiteRiverNews or @lakedillonfire
#Tenderfoot2
Firefighters make good progress on Tenderfoot 2 Fire near Dillon
Dillon, Colo. – Sept. 20, 2017 - Firefighters made good progress on the Tenderfoot 2 Fire east of Dillon yesterday and are reporting 50 percent containment. Incident Commander Eric White, of the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit, reported at Wednesday morning’s briefing that crews were successful in holding the fire to the existing footprint, with no growth during the day, despite windy conditions with gusts up to 50 mph.
Air operations will continue to assist ground crews this morning as necessary in extending the containment line; more work will also be done to extinguish remaining hot spots. The burn area remains at an estimated 25 acres in sage and heavy timber, including significant amounts of dead-standing beetle-killed lodgepole pine.
Upon official investigation, the fire has been determined to be caused by sparks from a blown insulator cap on a power line that subsequently ignited nearby grasses and burned upslope.
The Oro Grande and Tenderfoot Mountain trails remain closed, and the public is requested to avoid the Tenderfoot Mountain area between Straight Creek Road and Frey Gulch Road for safety reasons. An official White River National Forest closure order is in place for this area. Hot spots still remain, and the danger of falling trees are an ongoing concern, especially during windy conditions.
The Tenderfoot 2 fire initially was reported at approximately 5 p.m. on Monday. The fire is not yet fully contained, and it may continue to burn for days or weeks, so residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and be ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Approximately 120 firefighters remain working the fire to ensure that all hot spots are extinguished and to respond if expected windy conditions today contribute to renewed fire activity, including the possibility of spot fires and even major flare-ups.
“The key here is relationships,” said White River National Forest, Dillon District Ranger Bill Jackson. “It’s important to recognize the high level of interagency coordination, cooperation and communication that we have here in Summit County. As we have seen on this fire, and during past fires, the local engagement and the emergency response is phenomenal.”
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place around the fire to allow air operations to proceed safely. Drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause aircraft to be grounded. The public is reminded that “if you fly, we can’t!” The Upper Colorado River (UCR) Fire Management Unit is a Service First Fire program comprised of employees from the White River National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management.
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inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5620/
All roads and trails between Straight Creek Road and Frey Gulch Road are closed. The entire Tenderfoot trail system is closed.