Bear Dance Fire extinguished, regional resource collaboration key factor

Tuesday - June 7, 2022 by Lindsay Box | Council Affairs
­
­
Wildland firefighter crews closely monitor the path of the Bear Dance Fire, clearing brush and cutting fire lines, Friday, June 3.
Southern Ute Police Department blocking incoming traffic to CR 517, Friday, June 3, keeping drivers safe from the safety hazards of the nearby Bear Dance Fire.
Pike Hotshots, Type I Team from Monument, Colo.
Snake River Hotshots, Type I Team from Pocatello, Idaho.
Devil’s Canyon, Type II ~ IA (Initial Attack) Veteran Hotshot Crew from Wind River, Wyo.
Bear Dance Fire debrief took place Tuesday morning, June 7, at SunUte Park, the Bear Dance Fire is now 100% contained.
A Kaman K-Max K-1200 aerial helicopter drops water west of the Los Pinos River, aiding in fire suppression, Friday, June 3.
With the assistance from a spotter plane overhead, two aerial helicopters work in tandem, dropping buckets of water scooped from Scott’s Pond onto the Bear Dance Fire, Friday, June 3.
In well communicated aerial firefighter maneuvers, a Bell type helicopter drops water from a “Bambi” bucket, Friday, June 3.
Tom Boyce redirects traffic away from CR 517, Friday, June 3.
Southern Ute Security Officer R.C. Lucero watches traffic carefully to make sure tribal staff were able to evacuate campus safely on Weeminuche Drive on Friday, June 3.
Flames engulf dry brush and trees along the Pine River as the Bear Dance Fire blazes, Friday, June 3.
Air Support and local firefighting crews on site of the Bear Dance Fire which began burning on Friday, June 3.
Two firefighters head back to their trucks after fighting the Bear Dance Fire, Friday, June 3.
Aftermath of burnt trees while smoke remains in the area of the Bear Dance Fire, Friday, June 3.
Chinook air tanker drops water on the Bear Dance Fire, Friday, June 3.
The Bear Dance Fire looms in the distance on the mid-afternoon of Friday, June 3. The fire was visible from many miles in the surrounding Ignacio area.
An air support helicopter flies over tribal campus to bring aid to firefighters fighting the Bear Dance Fire, Friday, June 3.
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Jeremy Wade Shockley | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Fabian Martinez | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Divine Windy Boy | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Terence Whyte | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Fabian Martinez | The Southern Ute Drum
Photo Credit: Fabian Martinez | The Southern Ute Drum
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
Thumbnail image of
­
­

Bear Dance Fire is extinguished. The fire is now 100% contained and burned a total of 89 acres since it began on Friday, June 3.

Crews will remain in the area to work on the phased reopening of the popular recreational areas. At this time the areas remain closed. As areas are deemed safe for use, announcements will be posted to the tribal website and social media. Please stay away from the area while crews continue to work on the reopening. No structures were lost and crews were safe from injury. The reservation remains in Stage I Fire Restrictions. The restrictions are as follows:

  • No open burning
  • No agricultural burning
  • No fireworks
  • No open campfires.

Campfires may only be held in designated camping sites.

Fire Conditions are dry and can support fire growth and new fire starts. Fuels remain critically dry due to the mega drought conditions. Temperatures are warming up and expected to be between 86-91 degrees. Winds are expected to be 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph.

 

Tags: , , , , , , ,
To top