Colorado wildfires: Lowline fire near Gunnison 54% contained

Gunnison County’s Lowline fire reached 54% containment Friday, prompting officials to wind down operations and resources.

The fire, sparked by lightning on July 26, has burned across 1,776 acres of U.S. Forest Service land approximately 14 miles north of Gunnison. Since 9 a.m. Thursday, the fire has only grown 6 acres.

According to a Friday news release from fire officials, Thursday night was the final shift of nighttime operations patrolling the fire. Additional resources will be released in the coming days to be reassigned to other wildfires.

However, smoke from the fire is still causing problems for residents, with the The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment extending the Air Quality Health Advisory for Gunnison County through Saturday morning.

Fire officials expect smoke from the fire will likely travel northeast Friday afternoon.

In the release, fire officials said the risk of the fire spreading outside containment lines Friday is low but warm and dry conditions with afternoon winds may increase the fire’s activity within the lines.

Friday crews will focus on improving firelines on the uncontained areas of the fire’s perimeter and patrolling contained areas for hot spots and heat, the release stated.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for the Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek drainages, but no fire restrictions are in place in Gunnison County.

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