| Area: | 5699acres |
| Fatalities: | 0 |
| Injuries: | 0 |
| Percent Contained: | 100% |
| Cause: | Lightning |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Season Name: | 2024 Colorado wildfires |
| Season Year: | 2024 Colorado wildfires |
| Is Season: | 2024 Colorado wildfires |
| Season: | 2024 Colorado wildfires |
The Spruce Creek Fire was a wildfire that burned in Montezuma County, in the U.S. State of Colorado. It was active from May 14 until May 31, 2024, when it was declared 100% contained. It was the first fire of the 2024 Colorado wildfire season, and is currently the 2nd-largest as of August 2.
The fire started on May 14, approximately 11 miles northeast of Dolores.[1] From then to May 22, the fire rapidly spread, reaching 1,644 and then1,867 acres in coverage by the late hours of May 22.[2] 172 personnel were assigned to the fire.[3] Firefighters secured northern and western fire perimeters, and protected historic sites threatened by the fire. By May 23, the fire had reached 4,672 acres,[4] and on May 24, the fire had rapidly grown to 5,699 acres, its maximum size.[3] Firefighters shifted to containment of the fire on roads, and two aerial ignition teams were put into place to aid with the task.[3] [5]
On May 25, the fire was declared 43% contained, and the number of personnel responding to the fire, dropped to 168.[6] A bulldozer was dispatched to repair roads damaged on covered as a result of the fire. Fire activity began to slow down on May 26, and containment on the fires jumped to 63%. The bulldozer that was dispatched the day prior cleared roads in the Haycamp Mesa area.[7]
By May 27, the fire was 73% contained and fire crews patrolled the fire's outer perimeter, to contain it within its footprint.[8] Firefighters were able to contain 83% of the fire by May 28, and the area was reopened to the public.[9] The fire was then transferred back into the hands of the San Juan National Forest services, and the fire was deemed 100% contained by May 31.[10]
| Date | Area burned | Personnel | Containment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 22 | 18670NaN0 | 172 | ||
| May 24 | 56990NaN0 | 172 | ||
| May 25 | 56990NaN0 | 168 | ||
| May 26 | 56990NaN0 | 173 | ||
| May 27 | 56990NaN0 | 167 | ||
| May 28 | 56990NaN0 | 146 | ||
| May 29 | 56990NaN0 | Unknown | ||
| May 30 | 56990NaN0 | Unknown | ||
| May 31 | 56990NaN0 | Unknown |