A BLM hellicopter rests in Fellin Park Tuesday afternoon after responding to a small fire on Whitehouse Mountain, just a few miles southwest of Ouray. Photo by Caleb Stento

By Jessi Marlatt

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Federal firefighters responded to Whitehouse Mountain on Monday after a call of smoke was received at 3:26 p.m. BLM and Forest Service crews immediately responded to the “Oak Creek Fire” with a helicopter that was in the region after dropping water on small wildfires in Gunnison County last week.
According to Chris Barth, Fire Mitigation Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Montrose Interagency Fire Management Unit, roughly 0.1 acre burned. Crews hiked to the site, which is above 11,000 feet, on Tuesday carrying five gallon bags of water and hand tools. They found the fire to be burning in heavy dead and down trees. “There are no concerns or threats to speak of in relation to the Oak Creek Fire at this time,” said Barth on Tuesday.
The cause of the fire had not been determined at press time.

Ouray Mountain Rescue Team carries an injured climber to the waiting CareFlight helicopter on June 24, for transport to St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. The waiting helicopter can be seen in the background. Photo courtesy Mike Gibbs

by Caleb Stento
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The Ouray Mountain Rescue (OMR) team had two calls last week for serious head injuries to back country users.  A third call was too late to save a hiker on Mt. Sneffels.
A family was out enjoying the mountainous terrain on Wednesday, June 27, when a large rock fell and injured one of the family members. A call went out to OMR shortly after 1:00 p.m.
According to Mike MacLeod, OMR Team Captain, “They were scrambling around kind of at the base of The Ribbon ice climb (adjacent to Camp Bird Road). A pretty good size rock came down and struck him in the head. He sustained pretty significant injury from the rock fall.”

By Beecher Threatt
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For two hours on Saturday, amateur sculptors focussed their attention on turning a five pound block of clay into a winning masterpiece in the first ever Ridgway Sculpture Contest. When director Michael McCullough gave the start signal, the room hushed, classical music played and spectators walked quietly among the 21 contestants in the Ridgway Community Room.
Co-sponsor Weehawken Creative Arts, represented by Susie Opdahl and Lissette Riviere, offered concessions and gratefully accepted donations. WCA managed pre-contest registration and marketing and assisted with planning.