Type 2 command team takes over Williams Fork Fire
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A view of the Williams Fork Fire from Prairie Mountain on Aug. 16.
Courtesy Steven Miller
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A view of the Williams Fork Fire smoke plume from the Flying Heels Arena in Granby on Saturday evening.
Courtesy Tim Schowalter
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The smoke plume from the Williams Fork Fire seen from Fraser on Sunday.
Courtesy Tyler Tomasello
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Fire crews are utilizing air resources for the Williams Fork Fire due to its remote location.
Courtesy Tyler Tomasello
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ARP-SRD-2020-06-WilliamsForkFire_Order-08152020-signed
On Monday morning, a Type 2 Incident Command team from the US Forest Service took over management of the Williams Fork Fire burning around seven miles outside Fraser.
The Type 2 team, led by Dave Gesser, joined the roughly 90 personnel already working on containing the fire Monday and crews continue to work on controlling the blaze.
The fire is roughly 6,345 acres and 0% contained. Currently, no structures are threatened, but the Fraser Winter Park Police and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office created an evacuation plan for Fraser if needed.
Sign up for CodeRED, Grand County’s emergency alert system, here.
Williams Fork Fire hotline: 970-445-2910 or email 2020.williamsfork@firenet.gov
Gesser said in a morning update that Monday’s priority is protecting infrastructure and high resource values in the area.
Currently, no structures are threatened, but the Fraser Winter Park Police and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office created an evacuation plan for Fraser if needed. Winter Park Resort is also working with the Forest Service to determine operations.
As of Monday, the resort and Trestle Bike Park continue to operate as normal.
Crews also hope to maintain the fire boundaries at County Road 30 to the east, County Road 50 to the west and Keyser Creek to the south.
Monday’s weather is expected to stay hot and dry, like the last few days.
Fire managers have also issued a temporary flight restriction zone over the fire, which includes drones, so that air resources can be utilized without disruption.
Evacuation remains in place for CR 3 and CR 30, Keyser Creek, Darling Creek and Church Park. Areas identified for pre-evacuation include CR 50, CR 50S, CR 73, Aspen Canyon, Morgan Gulch, and Henderson Mill.
Road closures are still in effect on Forest Service Road 133, Forest Service Road 139, County Road 30, County Road 3 and County Road 50 at Young Life Camp.
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