Saturday, July 19, was the multi-agency meeting with Paradox community members regarding the Deer Creek Fire, which started July 10. As of press time, the unknown cause of the fire was still being investigated. It had burned more than 17,000 acres and was 30% contained July 21.
July 10 was predicted to be "Red Flag Warning Day" by the NOAA administration. Nucla-Naturita Fire District (NNFD) Chief Brian Keaton had also correctly predicted that time as a potential problem, based on prior years. Logs show that NNFD was paged for four wildland fires that day.
On July 15, midday, there was increased fire activity. Wind had that day been to the north, and that was where firefighting was focused. Thunderstorms were predicted and expected. What could not be predicted was the direction of the outflow winds from a thunderstorm. In this case, the storm front settled over the fire with a 40 mph winds blowing to the east, pushing the fire three miles into Utah.
Firefighters then employed bulldozer lines, aviation water and retardant drops, as well as ground crews. By 10 p.m. that day, the fire had reached the rim overlooking Paradox Valley, where geography and a change in forest type caused it to settle down.
The National Interagency Fire Center reported fires all along the Colorado Plateau that day and in other parts of the nation, which made for limited resources. The Deer Creek fire was reprioritized, however, and additional trucks were assigned to it. Extra crews were sent to protect buildings in Paradox.
At the July 19 meeting, Chief Keaton made special mention of Paula and John Riley, Jack Lee and other Paradox residents who were proactive in their responses to the fire. A report of neighbors using an excavator and other helping to build fire lines was noted.
Mike Engelhart, Manti La Sal District Ranger, spoke of the response to the Deer Creek Fire during the meeting.
"Response for this fire has always been full suppression,” he said. “A lot of structures are involved. We know this landscape, we know this community. … These fires have their own life."
He added continued vigilance and readiness would be important.
Montrose County Commissioner Sean Pond was present, noting that Montrose County was facing three major wildland fires and had passed an "emergency declaration,” which included the Deer Creek Fire.
Some voiced concern that disinformation was being spread on Facebook, which had frightened some out-of-state family members. West End Commander Bruce Schmalz with the Montrose county Sheriff’s Office recommended social media users follow the official Montrose County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
To view the current evacuation map, the public may visit montrosecountysheriffsoffice.com/ and click on "Deer Creek Evacuation Map" in the upper right corner.
This same site also has an option to “Register for Emergency Alerts.” For anyone with difficulty registering, they may ask a sheriff’s deputy for assistance or call Montrose County Dispatch at 970-864-7333.
Public Information Officer for the NNFD Jeff Stephens told the Forum the local department was never assigned to either the Deer Creek or Turner Gulch fires. He did say though on July 15, during the fire expansion into Paradox, five NNFD members and other Sheriff’s Posse members began to prepare.
“Two 4,000-gallon drop tanks, like a portable pond, were placed and filled in Paradox, along with two tanker trucks loaded with water,” Stephens said. “NNFD continued monitoring the situation daily, responding in wildland brush trucks, all with the intent to protect residences in the Paradox Valley. The BLM also staged two crews on the valley floor.”
As of press time, the Turner Gulch Fire had burned more than 15,000 acres and was 34% contained. Stephens said despite the closures on Highway 141, ambulance transports that may have gone to Grand Junction went to Montrose without delay or complication.
The Wright Draw Fire at press time had burned 466 acres and was at 51% containment.
To learn more about the Deer Creek Fire and see daily updates, maps and more, all may visit
inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/utmlf-deer-creek. Other fire updates are present on this site as well.
