Fire activity minimal amid cooler weather

Rainy weather and cooler temperatures across the state led to minimal fire activity Saturday — the four major fires burning across the state grew only slightly.

Pine Gulch: The fire did not grow substantially overnight Saturday and remained at about 139,006 acres, or about 217 square miles — the largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history.

Firefighters expected to see minimal fire activity Sunday as well, because of lower temperatures and higher humidity. Heavy rain was possible in the fire area. The blaze, burning in remote terrain about 18 miles north of Grand Junction, was 77% contained.

Minimal fire activity is expected for the duration of the fire, although firefighters still expect to see smoldering and hot spots.

Grizzly Creek: The fire grew only slightly Saturday as the area saw widespread rain and cooler temperatures.

The fire reached 32,464 acres Sunday, or about 51 square miles, and was 73% contained. Firefighters were working some of the “roughest and most inaccessible” portions of the fire, fire officials said Sunday, and were working to build fire lines along the remaining uncontained fronts.

Cameron Peak: The fire grew just 5 acres Saturday to reach 23,013 acres, or about 36 square miles.

The fire remains 0% contained, but saw only minimal fire activity Saturday as firefighters finished indirect fire lines on the north side of the fire, connecting Laramie River Road to Colorado 14 on the north and east of the blaze, fire officials said Sunday.

Williams Fork fire: The Fork fire grew minimally Saturday and has burned 12,097 acres, or about 19 square miles.

The wildfire was 10% contained, with a line holding on the western perimeter of the fire extending south to Darling Creek.