Ute 63

### 1. Fire Start, Size and Growth - **Start Date/Time/Location**: The Ute 63 Fire was first reported on the afternoon of Sunday, July 13, 2025, near Morgan Canyon on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, approximately 4 miles west of Colorado Highway 140 and 7 miles southwest of Redmesa in southwest La Plata County, Colorado. - **Size and Containment**: The fire has grown rapidly from an initial 108 acres on July 16 to approximately 515 acres by July 17, with containment fluctuating between 0% and 25% reported on different days. As of the latest update, containment remains low, reflecting ongoing challenges. - **Growth and Rate of Spread**: The fire has exhibited wind-driven runs, actively burning brush fuels about 2 feet tall. Its location in a remote area has complicated containment efforts, contributing to its rapid growth. - **Containment Efforts**: A Durango Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team is leading the response, supported by about 96 firefighters, air tankers, helicopters, and a bulldozer. Numerous slurry drops with fire retardant have been conducted to slow the fire’s spread and establish containment lines, especially in difficult-to-access terrain. Agencies involved include the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Los Pinos Fire, Fort Lewis Mesa Fire, Durango Fire, Upper Pine Fire, San Juan County (NM) Fire, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management[1][3]. ### 2. Emergency Information **Evacuations and Sheltering:** - There are no specific evacuation orders or warnings reported for communities near the Ute 63 Fire at this time. The fire is burning in a remote area on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation, which has limited immediate residential impact. **Road Closures:** - No major road closures have been reported related to the Ute 63 Fire. Residents and travelers near Colorado Highway 140 and surrounding areas should remain alert for updates. **For more information, visit:** - Southern Ute Indian Tribe Fire Updates: https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/2025/07/16/su-bia-agency-fire-notice-ute-63/ - Bureau of Indian Affairs Fire Management: Contact at 970.563.4571 - Durango Interagency Fire Management updates (local fire agencies) ### 3. Current Impact **Impacts:** - The fire is currently burning in brush fuels with no reported destruction of structures or infrastructure. - No injuries or fatalities have been reported. - The remote location has limited direct community impact so far. - No school or business closures have been announced related to this fire. **Safety Concerns:** - Fire activity remains high due to wind-driven conditions. - Residents in nearby areas should be aware of potential smoke impacts and monitor air quality advisories. - No specific burn bans or fire restrictions have been noted in the immediate vicinity, but regional fire danger remains elevated due to dry conditions. ### 4. Ongoing Outlook - **Containment Projections**: The Durango Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team anticipates increased containment in the coming days, aided by incoming firefighting resources and a slight drop in temperatures forecasted through Friday. Continued aerial support and ground crews are expected to improve containment lines. - **Weather and Wind Warnings**: Wind-driven fire behavior has been a key factor in the fire’s spread. Slightly cooler temperatures and reduced winds are expected to assist firefighting efforts, but vigilance remains necessary due to the potential for rapid fire growth under changing conditions. ### 5. Cause and the Role of Weather and Climate - **Cause**: The Ute 63 Fire was caused by lightning on July 13, 2025. - **Weather and Climate**: The fire is burning amid dry, brush-filled terrain with wind-driven conditions contributing to rapid spread. The region has experienced ongoing dry weather, which, combined with lightning storms, has sparked multiple wildfires in western Colorado. These conditions reflect broader patterns of extreme fire weather exacerbated by climate variability[1][3].

Citations

['https://www.battstaging.com/fire/ute-63/', 'https://www.ksl.com/article/51345226/wildfire-destroys-a-historic-grand-canyon-lodge-and-other-structures', 'https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/2025/07/16/su-bia-agency-fire-notice-ute-63/', 'https://www.southernute-nsn.gov', 'http://www.coemergency.com/2025/07/colorado-daily-status-report-july-18.html?m=1']