South Rim

## South Rim Fire Report - July 29, 2025 ### Fire Start, Size and Growth **Start Date/Time/Location**: The South Rim Fire was ignited by lightning strikes on July 10, 2025, within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, approximately 9 miles east of Montrose, Colorado. **Size and Containment**: As of July 28, 2025, the fire has burned approximately 4,232 acres and is 41% contained. **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is primarily burning in brush (2 feet), timber (litter and understory), and short grass (1 foot). Fuels consist of high load dry climate timber-shrub, low load timber-shrub, and dry climate timber-grass-shrub. Above-average amounts of dead fuels from Gambel oak, Pinon-juniper, and aspen stands are very dry, with moisture content averaging below 6%, contributing to fire intensity. The fire behavior has been described as minimal, creeping, backing, and smoldering. Steep terrain, wind-exposed mesa, and continuous flammable vegetation promote rapid fire spread. **Containment Efforts**: The National Park Service, in coordination with federal, state, and local partners, is managing the fire. Suppression repair work is ongoing on the west side of the fire, including reinforcing constructed firelines and returning contingency lines to a more natural state. Patrol and mop-up are being conducted on the west flank to protect the Bostwick Park Subdivision. On the east flank, where terrain is inaccessible to ground resources, fire behavior is being monitored as interior pockets of fuel consume. ### Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** **Mandatory Evacuation Orders**: Mandatory evacuation orders were issued for the Bostwick Park community and residences on M73, N73, N74, and O74 roads in Montrose County. Evacuation zones have been revised, with some areas reclassified as "yellow zones" (pre-evacuation), allowing residents to return home, though caution is advised. **Evacuation Shelters and Information**: An emergency shelter was set up at Clifton Community Campus. Residents can check the Montrose County Sheriff's Office website for updated evacuation zone information. **Road and Infrastructure Closures:** * Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park remains closed to visitors. * Colorado Highway 347 is closed at the junction of U.S. Highway 50. * Boating is restricted west of the Middle Bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir due to aerial operations. **For more information, visit:** * [Inciweb South Rim Fire Information]: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/cobcp-south-rim * [Montrose County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page]: (Search for "Montrose County Sheriff's Office" on Facebook) * [Watch Duty App]: (Available on app stores) ### Current Impact **Impacts:** **Structures Impacted**: Several structures and areas within the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park have been destroyed or heavily damaged, including the South Rim Campground, facility management building, equipment storage areas, welding shop, and several visitor overlooks. The park's visitor center, administration building, and entrance booth appear to have survived. **Injuries and Fatalities**: No injuries or fatalities have been reported in connection with the South Rim Fire. **School and Business Closures**: The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is closed to visitors. Campground reservations for the South Rim Campground have been canceled for the remainder of the year. **Notable Impacts**: The fire has impacted approximately 12% of the entire national park, with about 80% of the South Rim affected. **Safety Concerns:** **Power Outages**: No specific power outages have been reported. **Water Safety**: Drinking water supplies have not been directly impacted by the fire. A team is assessing risks such as sedimentation and debris flow that could impact water quality. **Burn Bans and Fire Restrictions**: Information on current burn bans or fire restrictions should be checked with local authorities. **Air Quality**: An air quality alert has been in effect for Mesa County and other parts of western Colorado due to smoke from the South Rim Fire and other regional wildfires. Smoke can cause health risks, particularly for sensitive groups. ### Ongoing Outlook **Containment Projections**: The estimated containment date for the South Rim Fire is August 10, 2025. Firefighters are working to reinforce containment lines and conduct mop-up operations. **Weather and Wind Warnings**: The forecast for Colorado includes a chance of thunderstorms, with potential for gusty winds. Drier air and warmer temperatures are expected to return later in the week, which could increase fire danger. A Red Flag Warning was in effect on July 21, 2025, indicating critical fire weather conditions with high winds and low relative humidity. ### Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate **Cause**: The South Rim Fire was caused by lightning strikes. **Weather and Climate**: The fire ignited and spread rapidly due to hot, dry weather, low humidity, and gusty winds, exacerbated by drought conditions in the region. Prolonged adverse weather conditions, including above-average temperatures and below-average precipitation, have severely stressed the ecosystem, creating critically dry fuels. The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires are linked to climate change, with hotter and drier weather patterns contributing to expanded wildfire seasons in the western United States. ### For more information, visit: * [Inciweb South Rim Fire Information]: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/cobcp-south-rim * [National Park Service - Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park]: https://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm * [Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control]: https://dfs.colorado.gov/

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