Rocky Mountain Area Moves To PL3. 20 Complex Incident Management Teams Now Committed Nationwide.
Utah authorities now looking for suspect in connection with the Monroe Canyon Fire.
As fires across the nation continue to draw in more resources, another region has elevated its preparedness level to 3. The Ute 63 Fire, burning southwest of Durango, Colorado, has ordered California CIMT Team 2 to come in and manage the fire. That fire was relatively quiet but went on a run yesterday. Minimal resources due to other priority fires in the area have made containment difficult.
The fire is 515+ acres, and the influx of resources coming in with the Team should help out tremendously.
Colorado is also working to contain the Turner Gulch Fire, which has grown to 15,071 acres. However, hard work over the last two days has brought containment up to 9%.
Division A: Firefighters achieved 9% containment on the Turner Gulch fire yesterday in Division A (map attached). Most firefighters have been shifted to other divisions, and crews will continue to patrol for hot spots in this area.
Division Z: Along Highway 141, Divisions Y and Z have been consolidated. On the division, day crews are mopping up around structures and continuing structure assessments further east along Highway 141. Line construction will begin in Gill Creek up to the 417 road to secure the northeast perimeter. Night shift resources continue patrolling the highway corridor watching for fire activity that could threaten structures.
Division O: Firefighters are continuing structure assessments and preparation for structures along Divide Road and Castro Reservoir areas.
Division Q: Firefighters are scouting this area looking for options to tie firelines together moving west and supporting line preparation on Division O.
Right next door, the Great Basin remains the nation's priority region, sitting at a PL4, and has multiple fires that continue to burn actively. Authorities in Utah are searching for a suspect in connection with the ignition of the 8,646-acre Monroe Canyon Fire. They are asking for the public’s help to identify the suspect.
"The U.S. Forest Service - Fishlake National Forest is asking for help identifying an individual associated with the ignition of the Monroe Canyon Fire. The subject was seen driving a Utility Terrain Vehicle on the west side of Monroe Mountain around 2:30 p.m. on July 13, 2025.
(subscriber submitted video)
The UTV is described as a two-door, late model, dark blue in color with red and white markings. It may have a cracked front windshield on the lower passenger side. Investigators are also looking for any other information regarding individuals responsible for starting the fire. The public is encouraged to contact U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement & Investigations at 801-388-3402."
Progress is being made on both the Deer Creek and White Sage Fires in the Basin. The White Sage, southeast of Fredonia, Arizona, has grown to 58,558 acres. Some very welcome precipitation fell over the Southeast portion of the fire yesterday, reducing fire activity in an area where it had previously been making some significant runs. That fire is now 9% contained.
Light precipitation also fell over the Deer Creek Fire, moderating activity and helping to bring that 15,000+ acre fire to 7% contained.
Up in the Pacific Northwest Region, the Cram Fire near Madras, Oregon, has turned into a monster. Now over 77,000 acres, the Cram Fire is the second-largest active wildfire in the United States, only trailing behind the 80,000-acre Klikhtentotzna Fire in Alaska. This fire has 573 personnel assigned, with a Northwest CIMT joining in the fight this morning.
The High Desert Type 3 Incident Management Team continues in Unified Command with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Green Incident Management Team. Today, they will be shadowed by Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 10, which will enter into Unified Command with OSFM Green Team beginning Thursday.
The Hope Fire in Kettle Falls, Washington, has increased their personnel assigned to a whopping 963 people. This influx of personnel has helped bring the 7,414-acre incident to 20% containment. Considering the number of homes in the fire area, it’s remarkable that only two structures have been lost. (Subscriber submitted video of the Hope Fire)
Northern California is still chunkin’ away with a couple of fire complexes and the Green Fire. In typical fashion, these incidents have a massive number of people on them. These three combined have over 3,000 personnel assigned. Boats are still being used to shuttle crews across Shasta Lake to the Green Fire. That fire has grown to 16,000 acres, but containment has also risen to 13%. Aviation with close proximity to the lake has been a huge help in slowing the spread of this fire on ridiculously steep ground.
The two complexes, The Orleans in the Six Rivers National Forest and The Marble in the Klamath National Forest, remain active. The Marble much less so, as crews have brought containment to 65%. All very steep and rugged ground.
I gave a full and comprehensive update on the Southwest fires on yesterday’s show. The Dragon Bravo Fire in the Grand Canyon has grown to over 11,000 acres. Updates since yesterday’s show: crews are now wrapping the remaining infrastructure in the Park with fire-resistant wrap and securing the fire’s edge where possible with the now 600 personnel on scene. An investigation will be conducted into that fire once the dust settles, and it has drawn the attention of the agency and D.C. leadership all the way to the top.
The Laguna Fire saw no growth overnight in the Santa Fe National Forest and is now 40% contained.
Alaska will continue burning until significant rain or snowfall occurs. The majority of their fires have a containment date of October 1st. Resources continue to be called up to the big state; however, they have reduced their preparedness level to 3.
Everyone is staring at SoCal, waiting for it to pop. A few 600+ fires that actually look like a lot of fun, but nothing has gone huge since the Madre Fire, which is 97% contained now and no longer active.
National PL5 by August…?!
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Great update - the submitted photo's always add SO MUCH in giving a feel for things. Always good to see some Black on the OPS and PI Maps. Excellent work by the Men & Women involved!
On the Green Fire - Lake Shasta and Super Scoopers go together like Scotch & Soda !! Safe work and travels to those assigned throughout North America - Brave Hearts All.