Mullen Fire remains at 14% contained despite intensive efforts

The Mullen Fire has grown to 161,151 acres as 1,050 fire personnel battle the blaze. According to InciWeb, the fire progressed slightly to the northeast and east over the last 24 hours. Containment has remained at 14% as of this morning. 

Significant structure protection activities took place in Albany and other communities threatened by the fire and structure protection will continue to be a priority. This includes moving brush and firewood, laying water hoses, and installing sprinkler systems.

Albany County crews established and strengthened indirect fire lines to slow potential spread towards Centennial, and aerial resources will drop retardant along those fire lines to reinforce them.  

Fire Conditions and Weather 

Active burning in heavy dead and down fuels is expected.

Today is expected to be warm and dry with lighter winds from the southwest and gusts up to 20 mph.  Afternoon relative humidity levels are forecast to be around 10%.  Smoke is expected to be reduced somewhat in the immediate vicinity of the fire and allow increased use of aerial resources.

Thursday will continue to be warm and dry with increasing winds from the southwest to west and gusts to 30 mph.  The relative humidity will remain low at around 10%.

Road and Forest Closures

Road status can change quickly in response to fire conditions. Colorado Hwy127 and Wyoming Hwy230 on the west side of the fire is now open. For the most current information on Wyoming and Colorado road closures, please see https://www.wyoroad.info/pls/Browse/WRR.STATIC5?SelectedDistrict=1 and https://cotrip.org/travelAlerts.htm#?roadId= 

No estimate is available about reopening these roads.

A Forest area closure is in effect surrounding the Mullen Fire for public safety. 

See the new Forest Closure Orders for Medicine-Bow Routt NF https://tinyurl.com/y4gb8bqs and Arapaho Roosevelt NF https://tinyurl.com/y2e3qn3y 

For BLM Emergency Area Closure for areas near the fire, see Closures on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7208/.