HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS, Colo. — Cooler temperatures have helped firefighters make progress on the wildfire burning near Hot Sulphur Springs.
The Williams Fork Fire has burned 12,097 acres and is 10 percent contained as of Thursday morning.
Drier conditions on Wednesday allowed crews to access the west side of the fire. Firefighters worked to mop up the area where an aerial ignition was completed last week to remove vegetation between the edge of the fire and Williams Creek, fire officials said.
Crews also continue to focus on constructing fire lines west of Fraser along Crooked Creek Road and south along St. Louis Creek Road (FS 160). Fuel reduction efforts, including tree and brush thinning, is expected to last several more days before the fire lines are complete, fire officials said.
As temperatures increase into Labor Day weekend, minimal fire behavior is expected to continue with pockets of heat and smoldering in the interior of the fire.
The Grand County Sheriff has lifted all remaining pre-evacuation orders. Residents and guests to Grand County can receive emergency notifications by signing up for CodeRED at gcemergency.com and downloading the mobile app to their phones.
"No evacuations or pre-evacuation notices are currently in place due to the Williams Fork Fire", DeMasters said, "A forest closure remains in effect for both public and firefighter safety."
Due to the reduction in fire activity, officials announced on Sunday evening that they were ending their regular Facebook Live fire updates; however, future live updates will be provided if fire conditions warrant.
Due to statewide dry and drought conditions and significant fires burning across the state, Gov. Jared Polis has enacted a statewide ban on open burning. Stage 2 fire restrictions were in effect in Grand County.
A forest area closure remains in effect for public and firefighter safety as fire operations continue in the area, fire officials said. The Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest continues to monitor the fire and will adjust the area closure when it is safe to do so.
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