South Rim fire forces evacuations near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Published in News & Features
Wildfires burning on thousands of acres across Colorado’s Western Slope destroyed two homes and continued to evacuate neighborhoods and close Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, local and federal officials said Friday.
Sowbelly fire
A wildfire that sparked in Mesa County on Thursday amid soaring temperatures, tinder-dry conditions and gusty winds burned into Delta and Montrose counties, prompting pre-evacuation notices for people living and camping in Escalante Canyon on Friday.
The Sowbelly fire is burning on an estimated 2,192 acres after “very active fire growth” on Thursday afternoon that sent a large smoke plume visible from U.S. 50 between Olathe and Grand Junction, according to Delta County officials and the Bureau of Land Management.
The fire, which was initially called the Boyce fire, is now burning in pinyon-juniper trees in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area in Delta and Mesa counties.
“Due to the narrow canyon and limited evacuation routes, the sheriff’s office is recommending any existing campers leave the (Escalante) Canyon area for campsites closer to the highway and no new camping occur in the canyon due to the wildfire,” the Delta County Sheriff’s Office said in a post on Facebook.
Local fire crews and smoke jumpers are fighting the fire, but the terrain and location has made it difficult, BLM officials said.
Mountain View fire
After destroying two homes and burning at least 60 acres in Chaffee County northwest of Buena Vista, the Mountain View fire was 100% contained Friday afternoon, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office said that containment means the fire is likely to stay within boundaries, but there is still a probability of something like weather creating conditions where the fire could escape.
“We do not completely have the fire under control yet,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook. “Unfortunately, this means we will be unable to let residents back in their homes tonight. We are sorry but we need to be extra safe. We will try hard for tomorrow.”
The cause and origin of the fire are under investigation and no injuries have been reported.
“We are handling this as a criminal investigation until/unless proven otherwise,” sheriff’s officials said.
Fifty homes are in the evacuation zone surrounding the fire and utility crews are still working to restore power to the area.
Officials said they did not believe the fire had entered public lands as of Thursday evening.
South Rim fire
About 140 miles west, the South Rim fire burning in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park grew to 1,640 acres and forced mandatory evacuations in Montrose County on Friday night.
The evacuation area includes homes in the Botswick Park area, Colorado 347 starting at U.S. 50 and the K73 trail.
“Firefighters are pulling back to perform structure protection as fire behavior is increasing,” park officials said at 5:40 p.m. The South Rim fire is at 0% containment.
A second wildfire on the park’s North rim is still burning, National Parks Service spokesperson Lauren Huckle said, but it’s not requiring as many resources.
“High temperatures, very low humidity, gusty winds, and very dry vegetation across the region have led to extreme fire danger at Black Canyon,” read information from the National Park Service.
The fire damaged some park equipment and outbuildings, but the South Rim Visitor Center is currently unscathed, fire officials said.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park remained closed Friday as fire crews fought the flames, which officials said were caused by lightning.
Visitors and staff were evacuated from the park on Thursday as the fire is burned through pinyon pine, juniper, sage and grass.
Air quality concerns
Because of the fires, moderate to heavy smoke is expected to linger in southwest Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. The department issued an air quality health advisory in effect until 9 a.m. Saturday.
Counties affected for the air quality advisory include: Saguache, San Juan, Hinsdale, Mineral, Archuleta, southern Mesa, Delta, Gunnison, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel, Dolores, Montezuma, La Plata, Rio Grande and Conejos Counties.
“If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood, you may want to remain indoors,” the advisory said. “This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and older adults. Consider limiting outdoor activity when moderate to heavy smoke is present. Consider relocating temporarily if smoke is present indoors and is making you ill. If visibility is less than 5 miles in smoke in your neighborhood, smoke has reached levels that are unhealthy.”
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