Brush Creek Fire - Now 90 Percent Contained

June 25, 2013 6:30 p.m.

Contact: David Boyd, Public Information Officer, 970 319-4130

Brush Creek Fire 90 percent contained

RIFLE, Colo. – Firefighters now have the 400-acre Brush Creek Fire 90 percent contained.

Today about 120 firefighters, three helicopters and three engines worked the fire, which is about 10 miles north of Rifle, Colo.

Firefighters expect to have the fire 97 percent contained by the end of the day tomorrow, when most of the remaining resources will be released to other fires or to return to their home unit.

Containment line will not be built on the remaining 3 percent of the fire perimeter because of the extremely steep slope, but after tomorrow a small crew of firefighters will continue to monitor and work the fire as long as needed. The fire has not grown in several days despite the strong winds, and firefighters do not expect it to grow further.

Rifle Gap Reservoir is now fully open to boating.

The work to contain the Brush Creek Fire is a closely coordinated effort among crews and personnel working for the federal Upper Colorado River Interagency Management Unit, the local Colorado River Fire Rescue, Garfield County and the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

For the latest updates on the Brush Creek Fire, visit www.inciweb.org, www.facebook/coloradoriverfirerescue, www.garfield-county.com, or call 970 319-4130.

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