Cherry Peak Fire Mapped at 140 Acres and Remains Uncontained

Overview

• An infrared mapping flight on August 20 measured the Cherry Peak Fire at about 140 acres and found fire activity concentrated on the northern and southern flanks while most heat stayed inside the mapped perimeter.
• Aircraft including large airtankers (LATs), a very large air tanker (VLAT) and Type 1 helicopters have dropped retardant and water to hold the fire's edge so crews can work safely on the ground.
• Specialist teams have been used to improve access: nine smokejumpers built helispots and heli-rappelers established sling-load sites so crews and supplies can be flown in rather than hiking long, hazardous routes.
• Ground crews face slow, difficult access because firefighters must clear about 1.5 miles of vegetation through the Cherry Creek drainage and contend with high concentrations of dead-and-down fuels and hazard trees.
• Resources on scene include two engine crews, a 10-person module, Type 2 initial attack crews and overhead personnel with two interagency hotshot crews expected to arrive, and a Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect to protect aviation operations.