Wild Horse Fire Update: Wildfire Near Grand Junction 90% Contained

A wildfire burning north of Grand Junction is nearing 100% containment.

Wildfire in the Bookcliffs

The fire was first reported Saturday afternoon in the Bookcliffs approximately 10 miles north of Grand Junction. According to BLM Colorado Fire, the fire was estimated to cover about 95 acres on Saturday, and by Monday, the fire had only grown to about 99 acres thanks to a tremendous response from firefighters.

Massive Effort Minimizes Fire Damage

Over the weekend, firefighting efforts included two BLM engines, two Mesa County engines, DeBeque Fire, four single-engine air tankers, one large air tanker, and an air attack.

A report from the De Beque Fire Protection District indicated there was no new growth on Sunday, but there was some fire activity within the interior of the fire. Air tankers dropped slurry around the perimeter of the fire to hold containment, while ground crews worked to cut a fire line around the edges.

90% Containment On Monday

On Monday, the 99-acre fire was reported to be 90% contained and crews were not expecting any further spread of the fire.

Flashbacks of Historic Pine Gulch Fire

If you saw smoke from the fire over the weekend, no doubt you had flashbacks to last year's historic Pine Gulch Fire that burned nearly 140,000 acres north of Grand Junction. That lightning-caused fire burned from July 31 until being fully contained on September 23. Fortunately, the Wild Horse Fire has come nowhere close to matching the magnitude of Pine Gulch. Officials report no structures have been damaged from the Wild Horse Fire, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Here's a look back at last year's incredible Pine Gulch Fire and a few photos that were sent to us by listeners.