The Fishhook Fire footprint has been adjusted once again to 313 acres and was 15% contained as of Tuesday morning, according to an update from the Southwest Area Management Team 1.

The modified size, down from the previous adjustment of 340 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 Tuesday afternoon 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 Tuesday, 547 personnel were responding to the fire. Responding resources included nine crews, 24 engines, three helicopters and three dozers. 

“Firefighters continue to make excellent progress, with crews gaining containment,” wrote Finch, who added that Tuesday’s main goals were to patrol, secure and increase the depth of mop-up operations.  

Responders are gaining containment primarily on the west side of the fire, where crews continued to address any remaining heat, he continued. On the south edge, crews made progress on mop-up operations, or extinguishing burning material along the perimeter. 

Personnel working in the southern area of the fire continued to lay hose lines and move portable pumps along the creeks to secure the fire perimeter, cool hot spots and prevent further growth, added Finch. 

“To the north, crews continue to address areas of interior heat amid low to moderate fire activity,” he wrote. “On the east side, the fire remains within its footprint as firefighters finish snagging operations and clear hazardous trees to ensure the line is fully secured.”

The fire area received minimal precipitation on Monday, with slightly warmer and drier conditions than the days prior. While Tuesday’s weather was a bit cooler with higher relative humidity and lighter winds, Finch noted that gusts remain possible in the evening due to possible thunderstorms. 

Wednesday’s forecast carries a 65% chance of scattered thunderstorms and the potential for “measurable rain,” wrote Finch, who added that responding personnel are gaining confidence for a “significant moisture event midweek.” 

“By Wednesday and Thursday, there is a 95% chance of precipitation, including the potential for wetting rains, which will support suppression efforts,” Finch wrote. 

The cause of the Fishhook Fire, first reported at around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 12, remained undetermined as of Tuesday morning. 

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

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

Though the pre-evacuation alerts for zones SS-356 and SS-376 have been lifted, the forest closure remains in place. 

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.