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Pine Gulch Fire is now the 4th largest wildfire in Colorado history

The Pine Gulch Fire grew to 85,407 acres as of Monday morning.

MESA COUNTY, Colo. — The Pine Gulch Fire, which is burning 18 miles north of Grand Junction, has grown to 85,407 acres, making the fourth-largest wildfire in Colorado history, according to the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center (RMACC).

The Pine Gulch Fire remains 7 percent contained as of Monday morning.

The Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team (IMT), with Dan Dallas as Incident Commander, assumed command of the Pine Gulch Fire at 6 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 14.

The three largest fires in state history are the Hayman Fire from 2002 which burned 137,760 acres, the Spring Creek in 2018 which burned 108,045 acres and the High Park Fire of  2012 which burned 87,284 acres, the RMACC said.

Burnout operations will take place only if fire behavior dictates, especially in areas closest to values at risk. Bulldozers and hand crews will continue to work the northern edge and along 204 Road on the east side.

RELATED: Here are all the wildfires burning in Colorado right now

The wildfire was sparked by lightning July 31.

RELATED: Smell smoke? It's likely from the Pine Gulch Fire

Credit: Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Black
The Pine Gulch Fire north of Grand Junction, Colorado, grew to more than 20,000 acres on Saturday, August 8, 2020.
Pine Gulch Fire

Type 1 helicopter working on structure protection on the Pine Gulch Fire - Video Credit - Ryan Rose

Posted by De Beque Fire Protection District on Friday, August 7, 2020

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