Firefighters continue making steady progress on both the Cottonwood and Morrill Fires, with containment increasing following several days of coordinated firefighting efforts.
According to a Thursday morning update from the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, both fires remained within established firelines Wednesday despite hot, dry, and windy conditions. Updated mapping from aerial and ground surveys also adjusted acreage totals, providing a more accurate picture of both fires’ perimeters.
The Cottonwood Fire is now estimated at 128,036 acres and 78% contained, while the Morrill Fire has grown to 643,074 acres and is 67% contained.
Officials say fire activity Wednesday was limited to interior portions of both fires, where pockets of unburned vegetation ignited but did not threaten containment lines. While containment has increased, fire managers caution that lingering heat remains in heavy fuels and smoldering vegetation near firelines. Crews continue working to locate and extinguish those hotspots, a process that takes time on fires of this size.
Fire resources remain in place to respond quickly to any new fire starts, with helicopters available for water drops and drones assisting with perimeter mapping and hotspot detection. Both fires continue to be monitored overnight.
On the Cottonwood Fire, the most active area Wednesday was in the northwestern portion from Jeffrey Reservoir westward. Rugged terrain and dense woody vegetation are slowing suppression efforts, requiring firefighters to access the fire on foot. Five 20-person hand crews are working directly along the fire’s edge, building fireline, cutting trees, and extinguishing hotspots to prevent further spread.
On the Morrill Fire, activity and smoke production remained moderate. Crews continue working along the perimeter while also addressing interior heat, particularly in tree windbreaks near structures. Infrared-equipped drones identified several heat sources in hardwood draws north and west of Lake McConaughy. Officials say those areas of residual heat are interior and are not expected to spread beyond existing containment lines.
Fire officials warn that critical fire weather conditions persist. A Red Flag Warning is in effect Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mountain Time, with temperatures expected in the low 80s, humidity in the teens, and wind gusts up to 25 miles per hour. Conditions are expected to worsen into the weekend, with temperatures nearing 90 degrees and very low humidity, increasing the potential for fire activity within existing perimeters and rapid spread of any new fires.
Temporary Flight Restrictions remain in effect over both fires, and officials remind the public that wildfires are no-fly zones for unauthorized aircraft, including drones.