July 1, 7:30 pm
MANCOS, Colo. - Two days of successful burnouts concluded on Saturday, and the Weber Fire has moved into the mop-up and patrol stage. Additional burnouts are not planned. Because mop and patrol is a less complex activity, the Type II team can transfer command to a Type III organization. This helps reduce overall costs and allows the Type II Team to respond to more complex incidents. In preparation for a Type III organization to assume command tomorrow, July 2 at 6:00 p.m., firefighters are continuing efforts to ensure the fire remains within the established perimeter by strengthen the existing line. The fire is 10,133 acres in size and is 75 percent contained. Residents and visitors should expect to see intermittent smoke as mop up continues.
For those interested in the rehabilitation of the burn area, a public meeting will be held tomorrow night at the Mancos High School Performing Arts Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Representative from the Bureau of Land Management, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Red Cross, and the State of Colorado will be there to provide information and advice on the rehabilitation of public and private lands. Following wildfires, restoration activities are critical for re-establishing native vegetation, and stabilizing soils to limit erosion from monsoonal rains.
Information about this and other fires can be found at www.inciweb.org. Follow us on Twitter @weberfireinfo.