GILPIN COUNTY — Smokey’s sign at Timberline Fire Station 3 in Gilpin County is still telling us that fire conditions are extreme at the time of this report. This may change if rain comes into the area this week. 

Have you done any fire mitigation in your yard or on your property? Have you cut off any low hanging branches? Have you gotten rid of any juniper? You may have a teenager living near you who is willing to do some work for a few hours and get paid. Make sure they stay hydrated in the heat. 

The fires in Colorado have changed in size and containment since last week. The Willow Fire near Leadville, at the time of reporting, is at 7,150 acres and 37% containment. There are 690 people fighting this fire and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office says the cost is at $21.4 million. 

The largest fire in Colorado at this time is the Aspen Acres Fire. It is impacting the land and people in Huerfano, Pueblo, Custer, and Fremont Counties. This fire is now over 100,000 acres and has burned 100,756 acres. It is 61% contained. 

At the time of this report there is a new fire named the Hartman Hill Fire. It is on the Eagle-Grand County line near Trough Road. Firefighters responded to the fire on Sunday night, July 19. At this time the fire is 26.2 acres.

Some positive news is that the Ferris Fire in southwest Colorado is 91% contained. At this time it has burned 64,881 acres. 

The Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray and impacting Montrose, Ouray, and Gunnison Counties is now at 38,009 acres. This fire is 14% contained. 

The Elk Fire, which is also in Gunnison County and Hinsdale County, is at 2,300 acres and is at zero containment. 

The Fishhook Fire is in Routt County less than a mile from Highway 40 on Rabbit Ears Pass. This fire is approximately eight miles southeast of Steamboat Springs. At the time of this report it is at 313 acres and 15% contained. 

On July 12 pilot Nicholas Dale from Sooke, British Columbia, Canada, died when his firefighting aircraft went down while fighting the Gold Mountain Fire. He was 56 years old. 

Three other firefighters have died while fighting fires in Colorado this summer. Emily Barker, 38, Clinton Township, Michigan; Nick Hutcherson, 27, Glendale, Arizona; and Sydney Watson, 27, Warrior, Alabama, died while fighting the Sydney Fire.

Wildland firefighters live in our communities. Their families work with us and their kids attend our local schools. It is tough, dangerous work and families can be separated for extended periods of time. 

We can all do our part in the space we live in. Clean up your yards of dead branches, trees, and the juniper. Honor the fire restrictions that are in place. If you are in the Peak to Peak area, it is Stage 2 fire restrictions now. 

Be wise and help prevent wildfires.