Fire crews continue making progress on the Morrill Fire as calmer weather conditions helped limit fire activity over the past day.
Rob Powell with Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team One said firefighters saw improved conditions Tuesday and are working to secure the fire perimeter.
“We got good progress started up yesterday due to the breaking weather,” Powell said. “Didn't see much activity going on.”
Crews are continuing to work directly along the fire edge rather than using large burnout operations in an effort to preserve grazing land important to local ranchers.
“We are continuing to go around this fire as direct as possible,” Powell said. “We realize the value of the grass with the ranchers out here.”
Incoming crews are now relieving local volunteer firefighters who initially responded to the blaze.
“Our folks are rolling in to relieve the volunteers who did excellent work,” Powell said. “Your local firefighters did excellent work on this and gave us a good strategy to pick up on.”
Crews are focusing on securing the fire edge, improving existing containment lines and extinguishing hot spots. Military helicopters are also expected to assist with suppression efforts.
“We do have two Blackhawk or four Blackhawk helicopters that you may see flying today,” Powell said.
Officials say fire growth has slowed and conditions are expected to remain moderate.
“Overall the Morrill fire as far as growth yesterday and pretty much forecasted today is going to be a kind of a moderate level of fire progression,” Powell said.
Infrared flights were scheduled to take place to provide a more accurate fire perimeter map.
Powell also acknowledged the impact the fire has had on the local ranching community.
“Our heart goes out to you,” he said. “The damage to this ranching community and loss of life and structures and everything.”