Firefighters for the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison national forests continued to manage two fires Sunday on the Uncompahgre Plateau, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service.
The two fires, named the Pitch Fire and the Kelso Fire’ were caused by lightning and first detected June 14, according to Lee Ann Loupe with the Forest Service. Loupe said both fires are being managed under a “confine and contain” suppression strategy, allowing the fires to be managed to burn within predetermined boundaries.
The Pitch Fire is located about 20 miles southwest of Grand Junction and has grown to about 250 acres. Firefighters strengthened and widened perimeter lines Sunday by burning unburned fuels around the perimeter of the fire, according to the news release. Firefighters will continue to manage the fire throughout the rest of this week.
The Kelso Fire, also on the Uncompahgre Plateau, is located about 40 miles south of Grand Junction and has grown to be about 50 acres in size within an area described as “rugged and remote terrain.” Officials continue to manage the area to protect fisheries in Kelso Creek and private lands nearby. The fire will continue to burn throughout the week, within the established perimeter, according to the news release.
