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Communities remain on pre-evacuation notice near Decker Fire

Posted at 1:40 PM, Sep 15, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-22 10:22:21-04

SALIDA — A cold front that moved in Monday allowed minimal fire activity to occur, but high winds hindered any aircraft to fly over the Decker Fire.

The fire is now at 8,723 acres and remains at 35% containment.

The Fremont County Sheriff's Office lifted an evacuation order for Bear Creek residents at 1 p.m. Monday. They are under pre-evacuation status until further notice, along with other areas near the fire.

Fire officials released an interactive map Oct. 14 that will be updated once a day. Residents near the fire can type in their address and see where they are located in relation to the fire area.

One week ago, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office announced the lifting of evacuation orders for people living on Silver Heels Road and homes to the west. The evacuation order in Chaffee County on CR 101 and Bear Creek was canceled Wednesday.

Fire crews on the east and southeast side of the fire are working on clearing brush debris near the Rainbow Trail. Crews on the west and southwest side are working on a small spot fire and the Methodist repeater site that they are expected to contain in a few days.

Decker Fire Oct. 21
Areas in yellow are under pre-evacuation orders.

Hunters in the area of the fire are advised to carefully check Forest and BLM closures before scouting or hunting.

A structure was said to have been damaged on Oct. 3 and News5 confirmed the structure lost was in Fremont County. On Oct. 5, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office reported that one structure has been lost in Chaffee County. It was not in the evacuation area, but it was close to the boot on private land that is surrounded by public land.

According to fire managers, smoke conditions are being monitored in several locations near the fire. Click here for tips to follow on wildfire smoke.

There are multiple road and trail closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County around the Decker Fire area. You can find San Isabel Forest closures here. You can find Rio Grande Forest closures here.

For BLM closures, go to the BLM Colorado Fire Facebook page or here.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been issued over the fire area to allow for aerial operations. Remember: if you fly, fire crews can’t.

There are 720 personnel currently fighting the fire. Resources include seven Type-1 hand crews, 10 Type-2 hand crews, 29 engines, four dozers, 10 water tenders, and multiple aircraft.

The agency asks community members to not call 911 to report the Decker Fire behavior or to request fire information.

The fire started Sept. 8, nine miles south of Salida because of lightning. Fire officials said the fire's estimated containment date is Friday, Dec. 20.

For evacuation information, contact the Chaffee County or Fremont County Sheriff's Offices or the offices' Facebook pages. You can check for updates on the fire on the fire's Facebook page.

MORE:

Decker Fire could cause more evacuations Saturday

Authorities issue evacuation orders due to Decker Fire