The Sheriff’s Office, Kremmling Fire Protection District, and Grand County Office of Emergency Management have all received concerns over the Gutzler Fire currently burning in Eagle County. Grand County Officials have been monitoring the status of the fire and its proximity to Grand County. Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin has been in communication with Eagle County Sheriff James Van Beek and has received updates from him. Sheriff Schroetlin and Undersheriff Wayne Schafer went to the Gutzler Fire Command Post in Radium today (July 6th) and were briefed on all of the current details surrounding the fire.
With its current conditions, the Gutzler Fire is over a mile and a half from Grand County and is moving to the South and away from the county. According to officials working the fire, there is very defensible terrain with natural breaks that the fire would have to cross to reach Grand County, if it changed directions. If the fire backtracked on its original course toward the county, the lack of fuel would cause the fire to burn out. This fire is burning on United States Forest Service land and is being managed and controlled by the USFS. The current Command Post is in Radium and much of the aerial attack is being conducted out of the Kremmling Airport. Much of the smoke from this fire, as well as fires in Routt and Moffat Counties, is impacting air quality and conditions in Grand County. The Sheriff’s Office and Local Fire Officials will continue monitoring this fire and will provide updates if it does move toward the county. Fires are burning in several counties in the area and should serve as a reminder for people remain cautious and vigilant with outdoor activities.
In addition to the Gutzler Fire, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin is also monitoring fire conditions in Grand County and is in contact with Local, State, and Federal Fire Officials on our current conditions. Most counties use a Standardized Federal Fire Matrix to determine current fire potential and conditions and evaluate the need to implement fire restrictions. Currently, Grand County falls very low on the matrix and has not reached a rating near restriction status. This rating can change with weather conditions and is reviewed on a weekly basis. Due to the severity of fires burning in neighboring areas, the topic of fire restrictions has been brought up and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. However, it is important to note that most of the previous and current fires burning in Colorado have been caused by lightening, accidents, and reckless or intentional acts, which are not controlled or impacted by fire restrictions.
The Grand County Office of Emergency Management has also been posting updates on area fires and is monitoring area fires . Both Grand County OEM and the Sheriff’s Office have been posting some fire updates on Facebook. For further details of the Gutzler Fire, please access the US Forest Service website.
Lieutenant Dan Mayer
Operations Division
Grand County Sheriff’s Office
(970) 725-3843
