The Spruce Creek Fire was a wildfire that burned in Montezuma County, in the U.S. State of Colorado. It was active from May 14 until May 31, 2024, when it was declared 100% contained. It was the first fire of the 2024 Colorado wildfire season, and is currently the 2nd-largest as of August 2.

Spruce Creek Fire
A member of the Roosevelt Interagency Hotshot Crew at the fire on May 19
Date(s)
  • May 14, 2024 (2024-05-14)
  • May 31, 2024 (2024-05-31)
Statistics
Perimeter100% contained
Burned area5,699 acres (2,306 ha; 9 sq mi; 23 km2)
Impacts
Deaths0
Non-fatal injuries0
Ignition
CauseLightning

Progression

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The fire started on May 14, approximately 11 miles northeast of Dolores.[1] From then to May 22, the fire rapidly spread, reaching 1,644 and then1,867 acres in coverage by the late hours of May 22.[2] 172 personnel were assigned to the fire.[3] Firefighters secured northern and western fire perimeters, and protected historic sites threatened by the fire. By May 23, the fire had reached 4,672 acres,[4] and on May 24, the fire had rapidly grown to 5,699 acres, its maximum size.[3] Firefighters shifted to containment of the fire on roads, and two aerial ignition teams were put into place to aid with the task.[3][5]

On May 25, the fire was declared 43% contained, and the number of personnel responding to the fire, dropped to 168.[6] A bulldozer was dispatched to repair roads damaged on covered as a result of the fire.[6] Fire activity began to slow down on May 26, and containment on the fires jumped to 63%. The bulldozer that was dispatched the day prior cleared roads in the Haycamp Mesa area.[7]

By May 27, the fire was 73% contained and fire crews patrolled the fire's outer perimeter, to contain it within its footprint.[8] Firefighters were able to contain 83% of the fire by May 28, and the area was reopened to the public.[9] The fire was then transferred back into the hands of the San Juan National Forest services, and the fire was deemed 100% contained by May 31.[10]

Growth and containment table

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Date Area burned Personnel Containment
May 22[3] 1,867 acres (8 km2) 172
0%
May 24[3] 5,699 acres (23 km2) 172
0%
May 25[6] 5,699 acres (23 km2) 168
43%
May 26[7] 5,699 acres (23 km2) 173
63%
May 27[8] 5,699 acres (23 km2) 167
73%
May 28[9] 5,699 acres (23 km2) 146
83%
May 29 5,699 acres (23 km2) Unknown
83%
May 30 5,699 acres (23 km2) Unknown
83%
May 31 5,699 acres (23 km2) Unknown
100%

References

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  1. ^ "Spruce Creek fire burns nearly 5,000 acres in southwestern Colorado, sparks air quality alert". The Denver Post. 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  2. ^ Schafir, Reuben M. "Firefighters grow Spruce Creek Fire to 1,644 acres". Durango Herald. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  4. ^ Petelo, Aiga (2024-05-23). "Spruce Creek Fire grows overnight". KKCO11. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  5. ^ "Spruce Creek fire in southwestern Colorado trapped between 2 forest roads, 38% contained". The Denver Post. 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  6. ^ a b c "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  7. ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  8. ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  9. ^ a b "Single Publication | InciWeb". inciweb.wildfire.gov. 2024-08-03. Retrieved 2024-08-03.
  10. ^ Times-News, Hendersonville. "Spruce Creek - Wildfire and Smoke Map". Hendersonville Times-News. Retrieved 2024-08-03.