(Pine Gulch Fire)
COLORADO – As wildfires continue to grow and new fires are popping up, we’re seeing new fire restrictions here in El Paso County. Area fire officials have changed our Stage I burn ban to a Stage II ban. The change means campfires, grills, outdoor wood-burning stoves, and even outdoor welding is prohibited in areas that aren’t cleared of flammable materials. it goes into effect at noon Monday. If you’re caught illegally burning anything, you could face a one-thousand dollar fine.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis is signing off on a state of disaster emergency declaration due to the Pine Gulch Fire. The move by the governor over the weekend means more resources will be available. On Friday, Governor Polis authorized the National Guard to help out with the wildfire battles.
Meanwhile, Colorado’s biggest fires continue to devastate thousands of acres. The Pine Gulch Fire near Grand Junction is mapped at 129,715 acres and officials announced it’s now 44% contained. Reportedly, conditions have been ideal for crews to continue operations on the northwest and west side of the fire. The Pine Gulch Fire is now less than 9,000 acres shy of becoming the state’s largest wildfire in history. The number one spot is currently being held by The Hayman Fire of 2002. The Hayman Fire burned 138, 114 acres.
(Grizzly Creek Fire)
The Grizzly Creek Fire continues to burn near Glenwood Springs. Roughly 30,362 acres are burned and the fire grew by 370 acres on Sunday. Firefighters have achieved 30% containment and a pre-evacuation notice is now lifted for the Sweetwater area.I-70 is now open for the first time since the fire started between Gypsum and Glenwood Springs. You may want to watch for emergency lane closures through the area. for more information on road conditions, click here.
(Cameron Peak Fire)
The Cameron Peak Fire in western Larimer County has burned well over 18,000 acres as of Sunday night. Crews from around the nation are assigned to the Cameron Peak Fire. Firefighters from Michigan and Maryland arrived at the Incident Command Post on Sunday. Highway 14 is closed both directions between Walden – Kelly Flats (east of Rustic) due to wildfire. No estimated time to reopen.
(Williams Fork Fire)
The Williams Fork Fire outside of the town of Frasier has now burned over 10,000 acres.
The Thorpe Fire is the latest wildfire in Colorado. It forced mandatory evacuations in Park County after it started Sunday afternoon just west of Lake George. As of Sunday night, 150-acres have burned. Two subdivisions near Webber Park were told to evacuate.
