Sowbelly

### 1. Fire Start, Size and Growth - **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Sowbelly Fire is burning in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, primarily affecting Montrose, Delta, and Mesa counties in western Colorado. The exact ignition date is not specified in the available reports but the fire has been active since at least early July 2025. - **Size and Containment**: As of July 24, 2025, the Sowbelly Fire has burned approximately 2,274 acres and is about 31% contained[2][4][5]. - **Fuels, Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire is fueled by extremely dry grass, brush, and trees, exacerbated by below-average precipitation during the winter and ongoing extreme drought conditions in the region. Afternoon storms with gusty winds and scattered lightning have contributed to fire activity and pose risks for new ignitions[2]. - **Containment Efforts**: Fire crews have been working around the clock to mop up hot spots using hand tools and water to increase containment. Progress has been made in slowing the fire’s spread, but dry conditions and weather challenges continue to complicate efforts[2][4][5]. ### 2. Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** - Specific evacuation orders or warnings related to the Sowbelly Fire are not detailed in the available information. However, neighboring fires such as Turner Gulch have prompted evacuation orders in Mesa County. - Residents in affected counties should remain alert for any evacuation notices from local authorities. **Road Closures:** - No specific road closures related to the Sowbelly Fire are reported, but nearby areas have seen closures, such as Highway 141 near the Turner Gulch Fire. - Residents are advised to monitor local transportation updates for any changes. **For more information, visit:** - Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: colorado.gov/cdle/dpfc - Bureau of Land Management Colorado Fire Updates: blm.gov/colorado/fire - Mesa County Emergency Management: mesacounty.us/emergency ### 3. Current Impact **Impacts:** - The fire has burned over 2,200 acres in a national conservation area, threatening natural resources and wildlife habitat. - No reports of structures destroyed or lives lost specifically from the Sowbelly Fire have been noted. - The fire contributes to regional air quality degradation, with health advisories issued for Mesa and Montrose counties due to wildfire smoke[4]. - Power outages or infrastructure impacts specific to the Sowbelly Fire have not been reported. **Safety Concerns:** - Extreme drought conditions and dry fuels increase the risk of fire spread. - Air quality health advisories remain in effect due to smoke, posing risks especially to individuals with respiratory conditions. - No specific burn bans or fire restrictions are mentioned, but local authorities likely have fire safety measures in place. ### 4. Ongoing Outlook - Firefighters have made progress, with containment at about 31% as of July 24, 2025, but the fire remains active due to dry fuels and weather conditions. - Afternoon thunderstorms with gusty winds and lightning continue to pose challenges by potentially igniting new fires and increasing fire behavior[2]. - Weather forecasts and fire behavior analysts emphasize the need for continued vigilance as extreme drought persists in the region. ### 5. Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate - The Sowbelly Fire, along with other regional fires such as Turner Gulch and Wright Draw, was caused by lightning strikes[5]. - The fire is fueled by extreme drought conditions, with below-average winter precipitation leading to dry grasses, brush, and trees. - Recent weather includes afternoon storms with gusty winds and lightning, which both challenge containment efforts and risk new ignitions. - The ongoing dry climate and drought in western Colorado are significant factors in the fire’s behavior and difficulty in containment[2][4]. **For more information, visit:** - Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control: colorado.gov/cdle/dpfc - Bureau of Land Management Colorado Fire Updates: blm.gov/colorado/fire - Mesa County Emergency Management: mesacounty.us/emergency

Citations

['https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/wildfire/colorado-wildfires-latest-update/73-3cd1ca28-5e90-4348-b65e-c349cb8d2821', 'https://coloradosun.com/2025/07/17/crews-start-contain-south-rim-turner-gulch-sowbelly-fires/', 'https://www.cpr.org/2025/07/14/western-colorado-wildfires-coverage-july-14/', 'https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jul/18/crews-slow-spread-of-colorado-fires/', 'https://www.skyhinews.com/news/colorado-wildfire-progress-containing-turner-gulch/']