A large downtown in Colorado by the Rocky Mountains remains closed Tuesday as a wildfire continues to burn dangerously near the freeway.
The White River National Forest said the Grizzly Creek Fire has grown to 1,300 acres because it burns in Glenwood Canyon about 5 miles east of Glenwood Springs.
“Firefighters reported extreme fire behavior,” officials said in an incident report. “Conditions throughout western Colorado remain very dry, and fire danger is high.”
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Officials said the fire was reported Monday at 1:30 a.m. and firefighters encountered “large active flames” in the median of Interstate 70 before the fire “approached” a nearby slope.
Crews respond to the Grizzly Creek Wildfire burning at Interstate 70 in Colorado on Monday, August 10, 2020.
(Glenwood Fire)
The wildfire prompted local firefighters to announce the closure of Interstate 70 in both directions as multiple exits, with photos showing the fire reaching the side of the highway.
Interstate 70 is now closed in both directions from Exit 116, Glenwood Springs, to Exit 140, Plaster, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Officials told FOX31 that there is no estimated time when the interstate will reopen.
Most of the arson attempt Monday afternoon happened from the air due to the rough terrain and extreme fire behavior, according to firefighters.
On Tuesday, officials said more than 120 firefighters were working the light, with more sources en route.
Crews respond to the Grizzly Creek Wildfire in Colorado on Monday, August 10, 2020.
(Glenwood Fire)
“Firefighters are working to keep the fire out of the No Name drain, as well as on the north side of the Colorado River,” officials said. “Terrain is very rough, limited where we can safely put firefighters on the ground.”
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Firefighters are working with aircraft to coordinate drop zones to combat the flames as they search for locations to draw up containment lines.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, and there are no immediate threats to structures and no evacuations are taking place.
The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said that although there are no evacuations, residents in the area are being asked to “wait and be ready when it is necessary to evacuate.”
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Firefighters could face a heavy blow ahead Tuesday as red flag warnings have been issued across the region for high danger of fire.
A combination of high temperatures, low humidity and windy conditions bring an increased risk of fire and can lead to rapid growth of wildfire.
Advice for fire water for Tuesday, August 11, 2020.
(Fox News)
Nine states, from regions of Colorado to the northwest to Washington, have issued a sort of fire water advice for Tuesday.
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Low humidity, pleasant winds, warm temperatures and severe drought in the West will keep wildfire conditions critical over much of the region through midweek.
Fox News’s Adam Klotz and Brandon Noriega contributed to this report.
