Western Slope–A fire weather watch is in effect through tomorrow afternoon. The National Weather Service says a combination of dry fuels, hot temperatures and sustained gusty winds is increasing the fire danger in western Colorado.
Rifle–Former Colorado Governor Bill Ritter was on hand for yesterday’s grand opening celebration of the massive solar array at the Garfield County Airport. The five acre array consists of over 35-hundred solar panels.
Basalt–The man who drowned in the Roaring Fork River last Sunday afternoon was identified as 62 year old Thomas Vermilyea. Investigators aren’t sure yet how or where he went into the river.
Glenwood Springs–The final two public meetings on Colorado’s roadless rule are being held this week. Today, officials will be in Montrose and tomorrow they’ll hold a meeting the Glenwood Springs community center at 5:30. Public comments have to be submitted by July 14th.
In other news…
WESTCLIFFE, Colo. (AP) – A wildfire in the southern Colorado
mountains has grown to 2,300 acres or nearly 3.6 square miles as
crews struggle with strong winds and single-digit humidity in the
battle to keep flames away from hundreds of homes in the area.
Fire officials said the fire 16 miles northwest of Westcliffe
was 5 percent contained Tuesday night after the wind died down.
It’s burning in rugged terrain and has been sparking new fires a
quarter-mile ahead of the main blaze. Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe say residents of about 50 homes have been warned to be ready to leave. residents of another 50 homes in Fremont County to the north have already been asked to voluntarily evacuate but it’s not clear how many have left. The fire started Sunday. The cause isn’t known.
NEW MEXICO WILDFIRES
Firefighters battle blazes around New Mexico
UNDATED (AP) – Fire officials have ordered more evacuations as a
wildfire continues to rage along the New Mexico-Colorado border.
The Track Fire has charred more than 24,000 acres or 37 1/2 square
miles along the border since starting Sunday. It has destroyed 11
structures, including outbuildings and hunting cabins, and had
forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents northeast of Raton
on Sunday night. Residents near the junction of highways 526 and 72 were being asked Tuesday evening to leave their homes. Officials could not immediately say how many people lived in the area.
State police officers were going door-to-door to warn residents.
Fire information officer Arlene Perea says the fire was picking
up, and residents reported seeing more smoke to the west and
northeast of Raton.
