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Emergency manager reports containment gains, prepares to resend evacuation notices and requests continued disaster declaration
Summary
Scott Hawkins, emergency management supervisor, briefed the board: South Rim Fire at 4,220 acres is about 31% contained and evacuation orders will be rescinded for some areas as pre-evacuation status; Sowbelly is 70% contained in-county; Deer Creek and regional fires remain active. Hawkins requested the county continue its disaster declaration and described coordination on mitigation grants.
Scott Hawkins, Emergency Management Supervisor, told the board that multiple wildfires in and near Montrose County are making slow progress toward containment and that some residents may be allowed to return under pre-evacuation status later in the day.
Hawkins reported the South Rim Fire at 4,220 acres and said containment increased to about 31% after firefighting crews were able to apply direct suppression tactics. "We're gonna allow people to go home, which is great," he said, while noting households will remain in a pre-evacuation posture and must be ready to leave again if conditions change.
He said the Sowbelly Fire is 70% contained and that all of the portions within Montrose County are under control, with remaining fire activity located in adjacent Mesa County wilderness. The larger Deer Creek incident was described as about 17,000 acres with containment reported variably in discussion (board members referenced containment figures between the high teens and about 30%); Hawkins said crews are using old burn scars and forest-service resources to help control the fire.
Hawkins said he planned to resend evacuation orders and requested that the board re-submit the county's disaster declaration to maintain federal and state coordination and funding eligibility. He also raised a Community Wildfire Defense Grant as a mitigation opportunity that he and the Colorado State Forest Service will pursue, and he asked the board for assistance in contacting state officials if needed to speed grant processing.
Board members thanked Hawkins and county staff for interagency coordination and asked follow-up questions about restoration, debris-flow risks and irrigation concerns for agricultural users; Hawkins said the county will meet with the National Park Service and other partners on post-fire restoration and debris-flow planning.
