The Fishhook Fire’s footprint on Rabbit Ears Pass was adjusted a third time to 309 acres and is 58% contained as of Wednesday morning, according to an update from the Southwest Area Management Team 1.

The modified size, down slightly from the previous adjustment of 313 acres, is a result of more accurate mapping and not a reduction in the fire itself, clarified Incident Commander Caleb Finch in the update. 

Routt County officials issued pre-evacuation alerts for two zones near the Fishhook Fire — SS-356 and SS-376 — on July 14 in anticipation of a partial Routt National Forest closure that went into effect at 9 a.m. on July 15.

As of Tuesday afternoon, emergency officials have lifted those pre-evacuation alerts, though access to the area remains limited in accordance with the forest closure.  

As of Wednesday, 493 personnel are responding to the fire, down somewhat from the 547 assigned Tuesday. Responding resources include 10 crews, 18 engines, three helicopters and three dozers. 

“Yesterday, firefighters gained significant containment across all divisions, bringing the Fishhook Fire to 58% containment, with no growth beyond its current footprint,” wrote Finch. “As objectives are met, incident management will begin releasing resources that are no longer needed and will transition to a smaller organization in the days ahead.”

Firefighters across all divisions are continuing to patrol the perimeter of the fire, he continued. An unmanned aircraft system will fly infrared missions over the fire to help responders identify interior areas of heat, helping firefighters work with more precision while spending less time in hazardous areas. 

“Firefighters will be locating and extinguishing these interior heated areas, clearing hazardous snags and backhauling hoses and pumps from places on the Fishhook Fire where they are no longer needed,” wrote Finch. 

Wednesday’s weather was projected to be warm and dry, with highs above 80 degrees and humidity briefly dropping below 30%, he added. Scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon include a 60% to 70% chance of “measurable rain,” with brief gusts possible. 

More significant moisture was forecast for Wednesday and Thursday, bringing more widespread showers, cooler temperatures and increased humidity that will ultimately help fire suppression efforts.

The cause of the Fishhook Fire, which was reported at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, remains undetermined as of Wednesday morning. 

Smoke is expected to remain visible near the Walton Creek drainage and surrounding areas. 

While U.S. 40 remains open, responding officials note that that could change at any point depending on fire behavior. Temporary flight restrictions remain in place in the airspace above the fire. 

The boundary of the closed area is the Routt and Grand County border to the east along U.S. Highway 40; the national forest boundary to the west; the Routt and Grand County border to the south on Highway 40; and Forest Service trail 1101 to the north.

• To view evacuation zones in Routt County, visit tinyurl.com/4bss4p3k.
• To sign up for Routt County Alerts, visit tinyurl.com/knacnepd.