SALIDA — Fire officials have announced that the Decker Fire is completely contained thanks to a winter storm this week.
Fire managers said Thursday crews now have the Decker Fire 100% contained after more than 4 inches of snow fell overnight.
The fire is not out, but the snow helped keep the fire at 8,959 acres and fire activity "continues to taper off."
There are no more evacuation or pre-evacuation notices in the area as of Thursday.
Fire officials released an interactive map Oct. 14 that will be updated once a day. Residents near the fire can type in their address and see where they are located in relation to the fire area.
Officials said that there will no longer be crews working overnight because of the snow reducing the threat of the fire spreading.
Crews will work to backhaul equipment and switch from suppression to suppression repair.
They will also pick up structure protection equipment in areas where there is no threat anymore.
Crews will continue to keep an eye on a spot fire near the SE corner and another area of active fire near Simmons peak, though both have not have much movement the last few days.
Hunters in the area of the fire are advised to carefully check Forest and BLM closures before scouting or hunting.
A structure was said to have been damaged on Oct. 3 and News5 confirmed the structure lost was in Fremont County. On Oct. 5, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office reported that one structure has been lost in Chaffee County. It was not in the evacuation area, but it was close to the boot on private land that is surrounded by public land.
There are multiple road and trail closures in Chaffee, Fremont and Saguache County around the Decker Fire area. You can find San Isabel Forest closures here. You can find Rio Grande Forest closures here.
For BLM closures, go to the BLM Colorado Fire Facebook page or here.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been issued over the fire area to allow for aerial operations. Remember: if you fly, fire crews can’t.
There are 492 personnel currently fighting the fire. Resources include 16 engines, one dozer, 4 water tenders, and multiple aircraft.
The agency asks community members to not call 911 to report the Decker Fire behavior or to request fire information.
The fire started Sept. 8, nine miles south of Salida because of lightning. Fire officials originally said the fire's estimated containment date was Friday, Dec. 20.
For evacuation information, contact the Chaffee County or Fremont County Sheriff's Offices or the offices' Facebook pages. You can check for updates on the fire on the fire's Facebook page.
