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SITUATION REPORT 2006-10

Report Date: June 26, 2006

Event Type: Wildfire

Situation: (Mato Vega Fire, Costilla County) Size of the fire is estimated at 13,780 acres with 50% containment at an estimated total cost of $2,230,000. 50 structures reported threatened with none destroyed to date, a total of 542 personnel are engaged in fighting the fire. Line construction with dozers and hand crews continue. The incident received precipitation ranging from a trace to .25 inches. The National Weather Service considers approximately .10 of an inch of moisture as a wetting rain. However, firefighters are cautious, due to the extreme dryness of fuels; and, the uncertainty regarding the degree of tree canopy interception of moisture across the fire.

Remarks: Crews constructed new fire line on Sunday the 25 th, and continued “mop up” operations to shore up existing lines near Paradise Acres and the Old La Veta Pass subdivision. Residents in both of these subdivisions remain under mandatory evacuation orders. Structure protection at Paradise Acres continues as a top priority for firefighters.

Three hotshot crews have established a “spike camp” in the vicinity of Iron Mountain on the north end of the fire. Spike camps are used to camp out and feed firefighters in remote in- accessible areas. The Iron Mountain spike camp is supported by the Mato Vega Fires Base Camp and it is anticipated they will remain is service through Tuesday, June 27 th.

CDOT reports Highway 160 is open without limitations and the use of pilot cars have been discontinued.

Observed Fire Behavior: Burn out operation planned for Saturday the 24 th and Sunday the 25 th, in the La Veta Pass area were postponed due to high humidity, low lying clouds and high winds. The burn-out operation was re-evaluated and reported as been cancelled as of 1000 hours Monday, June 26 th.

Weather Report:

Today: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 58. Calm wind becoming east between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tonight: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. East wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Partly cloudy, with a high near 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest.

Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 43. wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northeast.

Agencies Involved: Costilla County, Alamosa Fire, Costilla Sheriff, Huerfano County, Huerfano Sheriff, Colorado State Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service, CDOT, Red Cross, Salvation Army

Additional Assistance Requested: No requests for assistance at this time.

Misc. Info: Media Tours will be from the Sierra Grande High School in Fort Garland as arranged. All reporters will need Nomex, leather boots, helmets and leather gloves to go to fire line.