Growth on Ferris Fire halts; containment reaches 53%

Crews dig lines on June 30. After the wildfire began June 27, low humidity meant fire behavior was active throughout the night and crews worked around the clock. (Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)

×

Crews dig lines on June 30. After the wildfire began June 27, low humidity meant fire behavior was active throughout the night and crews worked around the clock. (Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)

The Ferris Fire about 15 miles northwest of Dolores has not grown in the last few days since it reached 64,870 acres.

The slowdown is credited to ground crews, aerial drops and moisture moving into the region, said California Team 7 spokeswoman Holly Welch.

Firefighters, led by the national incident managers Team 7, have successfully established lines around this most-active northwest corner using hot shot crews, hand crews and helicopter drops.

“Anything can change; something could roll out from the fire. But right now, they’re feeling pretty confident that it’s not going to continue to move,” Welch said.

She emphasized “you never know what can happen” but as days go by, fire officials anticipate additional containment.

As of Thursday, the wildfire that ignited from lightning strikes June 27 was 53% contained.

Thursday’s map of the Ferris Fire uses a black line to depict contained parts of the fire’s perimeter. (Ferris Fire Information)

×

Thursday’s map of the Ferris Fire uses a black line to depict contained parts of the fire’s perimeter. (Ferris Fire Information)

While growth has stopped, crews continue to conduct “seek and destroy” missions to extinguish interior heat pockets – those smoldering areas – using hand tools. The heat pockets are being identified through the use of drones with thermal imaging.

Welch said most of those pockets are 600 to 1,000 feet off the control line.

A Ferris firefighter digs line on July 1. The Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores showed no growth in recent days, said California Team 7 officials on Thursday. Containment was listed at 53%. (Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)

×

A Ferris firefighter digs line on July 1. The Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores showed no growth in recent days, said California Team 7 officials on Thursday. Containment was listed at 53%. (Courtesy of Ferris Fire Information)

Montezuma County and the greater region saw scattered storms during the afternoons and evenings this week. Yet, no rain has been recorded on the fire’s northwest flank, while other areas received one-tenth an inch of precipitation.

Scattered thunderstorms are forecast through the weekend.

“It’s just been the humidity in the air (and) decreasing winds as compared to one week ago that has significantly improved and helped to moderate fire behavior,” Welch said.

While the weather is favorable, inclement conditions could bring lightning or erratic winds that create new fire spots. But she said nothing of that nature had occurred this week.

Around less active portions, crews are mopping up and monitoring lingering spots for potential to rekindling.

Operations are widely transitioning to suppression repair work where active firefighting took place on public and private lands. The work differs from long-term rehabilitation or emergency responses to burn scars, but seeks to correct the impact of suppression activities while maintaining lines until flames are fully extinguished.

That includes returning disturbed soils and slopes to their natural shape. Those areas may have been previously overturned by dozer or hand lines. Other work involves repairing roads, drainages and other features affected by heavy equipment.

awatson@the-journal.com