Update provided by psicc.pio@gmail.com
Jurisdiction: USDA-Forest Service, Pike National Forest
Shawnee Peak Fire is east of Kenosha Pass, southwest of Shawnee, Park County, Colorado. Size 40 acres.
Yesterday: Firefighters made excellent progress constructing handline along the west, north and east side of the fire perimeter. They worked on constructing indirect fireline from the southwestern and southeastern fire perimeter to the Craig Park Trail #68 due to hazardous conditions consisting of numerous snags and steep and rocky terrain along the southern fire perimeter. Several spot fires to the northwest and east of the fire were fully lined with assistance of helicopter water drops. A structure taskforce worked on assessing homes for fire risk and began hazardous fuel mitigation within the Shawnee community.
Today: Crews will continue fireline construction as well as securing existing firelines. The structure taskforce will continue home assessment and hazardous fuel mitigation operations.
Weather: A red flag warning is in effect today from noon through 8:00 pm. Temperatures are expected to reach the 90s, relative humidity less than 10%, and winds up to 20 miles per hour.
Predicted smoke impacts: Smoke is likely to settle in the valley along Highway 285 north of the fire.
Values at risk: None at present. The town of Shawnee, located about four miles away, contains approximately 150 structures
Management Strategy: The Shawnee Peak Fire Management Team is working under a unified command with the Park County Sheriff’s Department. A full-scale suppression strategy has been implemented, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success. Operations include direct and indirect fireline construction while utilizing natural fire barriers to keep the fire within the lined area.
Resources: Four engines (2-Forest Service, 2-Platte Canyon Fire Protection District); 5-Helicopters; 4-Interagency Hotshot Crews; and 2-Type 2 Initial Attack Crews. Total personnel are 159.
Structures Threatened: N\A
Evacuation: N\A
Closures: The following trailheads have been closed: Payne Creek/Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, North Ben Tyler, Rock Creek, Long Gulch, and North Fork. The following trails have been closed: Brookside McCurdy, Brookside AG, Craig Park, Ben Tyler and Payne Creek. There is not a closure at this time of the Colorado Trail and wilderness trails to the south.