Crews achieve 30% containment on Pack Creek Fire

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) - Favorable conditions paired with assistance from aircraft along with “good work” from firefighting personnel allowed crews to reach 30 percent containment on the Pack Creek Fire, up from 16 percent on Tuesday.

The fire was last mapped at 8,531 acres, and minimal growth was experienced Tuesday and Wednesday. Most of the recent growth occurred on Sunday, where crews witnessed extreme fire activity.

The video below shows just how active the fire was on Sunday.

Firefighters continue to work on accessible portions of the fire in steep and rugged terrain. With current weather and fire behavior, we expect large fire growth on the #PackCreekFire. As you go outside in the Moab area you will expect to see and smell smoke. Video from Rob Kephart, Manti La Sal National Forest South Zone Fire Management Officer.
Posted by U.S. Forest Service-Manti-La Sal National Forest on Sunday, June 13, 2021

The fire was started by an abandoned campfire on June 9 and is mostly burning in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. Initial evacuations were ordered for nearby residents, but most of those have been rescinded, and several residents have been allowed to go home.

The Forest Service and the Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #4 provided a virtual presentation on Tuesday night to inform the community about the firefighting efforts. You can watch a playback of the presentation here.

Smoke from the fire has carried into the Western Slope, making for some picturesque views. You can see some viewer photos below.