ALBANY COUNTY — As of Tuesday at 9:55 pm, the Mullen Fire was roughly 176,371 acres with 34 percent containment on the western and southern edge to north of lake Owen, except for a section near Woods Landing.
There are approximately 1147 firefighters and support staff.
Snow persists in the highest elevations of the fire area and in shaded areas at lower elevations. Patchy fire movement occurs where fuels have dried out.
Despite strong winds, fire behavior was minimal in most areas yesterday. The finger near Woods Landing is now contained on the south side. Active fire and strong winds in the Albany area created spot fires that firefighters put out in the grass near Hwy 11.
Today firefighters are monitoring and engaging the fire where possible but will be cautious because of high winds and blowing debris and ash. Crews are repairing dozer lines and fences and will chip brush piles from community fuel reduction work near Ryan Park. Structure protection remains in place.
The Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) is beginning field assessments of damage to natural and cultural resources. The team includes specialists in soils, hydrology, vegetation, engineering, recreation and archaeology.
Fox Creek Road is open to local residents only from Hwy 11 to Hwy 230. Reopening additional roads depends on both fire activity and post-fire hazards which are being assessed in coordination with the county sheriff.
To stay up to date on Mullen Fire activity, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7208/.