A red flag warning for high fire danger will be in effect from noon to 8:00 p.m. for western Colorado counties along the border with Utah. Kieran Nicholson covers breaking news for The Denver Post. Sixty firefighters from at least nine agencies, along with numerous planes and helicopters, responded to the blaze. CLICK HERE to register to vote or check the status of your Colorado election ballot. Strong outflow winds from a thunderstorm cell overnight caused winds up to 40 mph over several hours, creating “extreme and erratic fire behavior, causing significant growth,” officials said. The Pine Gulch fire exploded overnight, growing 42% in size as it now burns across 125,108 acres, or 195 square miles, outside Grand Junction — becoming the second-largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history.. Pre-evacuation orders have been issued to areas of County Road 205, Kimball Mountain Road and County Road 256 in between Kimball Mountain Road and Browns Point, officials … There are no evacuations and no structures immediately threatened. Lightning is possible — with no precipitation — and strong gusts could contribute to more unpredictable fire behavior, officials said. (©2020 Maxar Technologies via AP), This Aug. 8, 2020 handout satellite image obtained courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows smoke rising from the Pine Gulch wildfire burning north of Grand Junction. A satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Pine Gulch fire north of Grand Junction, Colo., Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020. “There is potential for similar thunderstorm cells to pass over the fire area this afternoon and into the night.”. 2. CDOT recommended using alternate routes south of the area, and avoiding Cottonwood Pass due to fire activity in the area. Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved. Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page. The Grand County sheriff confirmed late Friday that an elderly couple who'd refused to evacuate their home as the East Troublesome fire advanced on Grand Lake this week perished in the wildfire. GET BREAKING NEWS IN YOUR BROWSER. Why have models of Colorado’s coronavirus trajectory been off? – The fire, which is now 7% contained, is burning in a remote area approximately 18 miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado, and has burned nearly 24,000 acres as of August 9, according to the Bureau of Land Management. The Pine Gulch fire, the largest wildfire in Colorado history, reached 100% containment Wednesday, September 23, 2020. The Pine Gulch Fire, which was first reported July 31 about 18 miles north of Grand Junction, has grown to 30,247 acres along the Mesa-Garfield county line. An. Moderate to heavy smoke could cause breathing difficulty for people with respiratory illnesses, children, and people who are elderly. Wind gusts up to 30 miles per hour, along with relative humidity falling as low as seven percent, are expected to create dangerous fire conditions. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. to register to vote or check the status of your Colorado election ballot. Now comes the restoration effort. The Kiowa County Press is an independent newspaper published in Eads, Kiowa County, Colorado, and to the world at KiowaCountyPress.net. Evacuations have been lifted for residents along County Road 204, who live below Brush Creek Road. Fire danger in the area remains high, and Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place for Mesa and Garfield counties. The map shows active and contained wildfires for 2020. The snowfall bullseye is projected to be just west and north of Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, where more than a foot of snow is forecast to fall in areas where the Cameron Peak fire and East Troublesome fire are burning. At 135,000 acres, the Pine Gulch Fire is almost the largest wildfire in Colorado history Commissions do not influence editorial independence. It had been measured at 87,778 acres, or about 136 square miles, on Tuesday evening. Temporary flight restrictions - which includes drones - are also in place over the fires due to the heavy use of firefighting aircraft to battle the blazes. Click markers for details, use buttons to change what wildfires are shown. An air quality health advisory, issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is in effect for Mesa, Garfield, Rio Blanco and Eagle counties through at least Tuesday morning due to smoke from both fires. – The fire, which is now 7% contained, is burning in a remote area approximately 18 miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado, and has burned nearly 24,000 acres as of August 9, according to the Bureau of Land Management. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. No new evacuations orders have been given, Shawna Hartman, spokeswoman for the firefighting efforts, said. All Rights Reserved. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – MANDATORY CREDIT “AFP PHOTO / Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Technologies ” – NO MARKETING – NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS – DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS – THE WATERMARK MAY NOT BE REMOVED/CROPPED (Photo by -/Satellite image ©2020 Maxar Tech/AFP via Getty Images). East Troublesome fire forces new evacuations in Estes Park early Saturday as high winds fuel fire growth, Pine Gulch fire expands to 42,000 acres with extreme fire behavior, Alarmed by rising hospitalizations, Colorado officials warn of potential for COVID-19 spread over holidays, Couple confirmed dead in East Troublesome fire; family says they “left this world together and on their own terms”, Emergency alerts: How to stay informed about Colorado wildfire evacuations in your area, Coloradans displaced by wildfires can return ballots across the state, Photos show damage to Rocky Mountain National Park from East Troublesome Fire, Map: Wildfires in Colorado and the United States, Colorado wildfires could get 12 to 18 inches of snow this weekend, This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Wednesday will bring more heat and dry weather, with high in the low 90s and gusts up to 16 miles per hour. Pine Gulch fire expands to 42,000 acres with…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Submit to Stumbleupon (Opens in new window). 2020-08-11_pict_fire_operations_at_the_pine_gulch_fire_august_10_2020.jpg, 2020-08-11_map_64j1_pine_gulch_fire_as_of_august_10_2020.jpg, 2020-08-11_pict_air_operations_at_the_pine_gulch_fire_august_10_2020.jpg, Nearly 190,000 acres burned by Colorado’s 4 major fires, Pine Gulch Fire explodes to 42,000 acres, Grizzly Creek at 3,200 after two days, 59,000 acres – Pine Gulch Fire doubles in two days, evacuations continue, Pine Gulch Fire reaches 73,000 acres – fifth largest in Colorado history, 7% containment as Pine Gulch Fire approaches 75,000 acres. Photos taken by members of the Greeley Fire Department fighting the fires in Pine Gulch. They have provided underground utility and earthwork work... You’ve heard about the beneficial aspects of CBD products, but you’re wondering: Which CBD is for me? By continuing to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! The Pine Gulch Fire burning in Mesa and Garfield counties has grown to 30,247 acres, while the new Grizzly Creek Fire along Interstate 70 five miles east of Glenwood Springs reached 1,300 acres just a few hours after it was first reported Monday afternoon. By continuing to use the site, you accept our. The wildfire, sparked by lightning July 31 and burning north of Grand Junction, remains 7% contained, Pine Gulch fire officials said on its incident page Wednesday. A fire whirl is seen as fire crews battle the Pine Gulch fire. Pre-evacuation orders have been issued to areas of County Road 205, Kimball Mountain Road and County Road 256 in between Kimball Mountain Road and Browns Point, officials said in a Wednesday morning news release. He started at the Post in 1986, at the old building on 15th and California streets. By continuing to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Map data is automatically updated by government agencies and could lag real-time events. Lightning caused the fire. High Park Fire (2012): 87,284 acres 5. The Pine Gulch wildfire grew to 139,006 acres on Thursday, surpassing the 2002 Hayman fire as the largest fire in Colorado history. Spring Fire (2018): 108,045 acres 4. Photos taken the Platte Valley Fire Protection District firefighters who are fighting the Pine Gulch fire near Grand Junction. Roads in the area have been closed by the Garfield County Sheriff. Outdoor activity should be limited. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office announced evacuation orders Sunday night for residents on Roan Creek Road, Clear Creek Road, Carr Creek Road and Brush Creek Road. Sam Tabachnik is a breaking news reporter for The Denver Post, focusing on social services, religion, rural issues and quirky stories that defy category. Nicholson has covered a variety of beats including suburbs, courts, crime and general assignment. The Pine Gulch fire continued to expand Tuesday and has burned more than 42,000 acres — with low humidity and gusty winds expected to fuel the fire Wednesday. A 14-mile stretch of Interstate 70 between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum remained closed in both directions overnight according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Greenwood & Myers... Ute Creek Apartments offer an unbeatable location in the beautiful residential neighborhood of northeast Longmont with easy access to I-25.... Jones Excavating and Plumbing is the premier excavation contractor in northern Colorado. Find more information about incident types at the bottom of this page. Image options: [ Full Size ] The Pine Gulch Fire was started by a lightning strike on July 31, 2020, approximately 18 miles north of Grand Junction, Colorado. This Aug. 9, 2020 handout satellite image obtained courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows a home surrounded by burnt terrain as the Pine Gulch wildfire burns north of Grand Junction. Nearly 600 firefighters have worked to establish seven percent containment on that fire, which continues to spread to the north and east. Electricity was cut off to homes in the area as a safety precaution, fire officials previously said, and the Garfield County Fairgrounds is accepting livestock that need to be evacuated. The Pine Gulch fire continued to expand Tuesday and has burned more than 42,000 acres — with low humidity and gusty winds expected to fuel the fire Wednesday. Copyright © 2002-2020. Firefighters encountered what has been described as large, active flames in the median of I-70 near the Grizzly Creek rest area in Garfield County before the fire began spreading up a north-face mountain slope. Incident types are numbered 1-5 — a type 1 incident is a large, complex wildfire affecting people and critical infrastructure, a type 5 incident is a small wildfire with few personnel involved. The Pine Gulch fire exploded overnight, growing 42% in size as it now burns across 125,108 acres, or 195 square miles, outside Grand Junction — becoming the second-largest wildfire in Colorado’s recorded history. The fire is now at 125,108 acres. KiowaCountyPress.net may earn an affiliate commission if you purchase products or services through links in an article. The wildfire, burning 18 miles north of Grand Junction since July 31, remains 7% contained, Pine Gulch Fire officials said in a Facebook post. Pine Gulch Fire (2020): 125,252 acres 3. Started by fire on July 31, 2020, the wildfire burned 139,007 acres. Firefighters work on the Pine Gulch fire. Stage 1 restrictions are also in effect for Bureau of Land Management land covered by the Grand Junction Field Office. Evacuations orders have been issued for homes along County Roads 202, 204, 207, 209 and 211 as of Sunday night. Officials on Tuesday night estimated the acreage burned at 42,222. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The fire about 18 miles north of Grand Junction was started more than a week ago by lightning in remove and rough terrain in Mesa and Garfield counties.