Author: webedit

BLM, GCSO cancel stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 23

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

August 22, 2024, 3 p.m. – The Garfield County Sheriff, BLM, and the seven fire districts in Garfield County are lifting Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in all unincorporated areas of Garfield County effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, August 23, 2024.

The recent rainfall in our area, along with cooler weather, has allowed Stage I Restrictions to be lifted in Garfield County at all elevations. Fire restrictions are implemented based on specific criteria, including the moisture content of vegetation, weather outlooks, human “risk” factors, and firefighting resource availability.

Please exercise due diligence, be careful if you are building a campfire or partaking of any activity in an undeveloped area that might create sparks. There are still a lot of fuels and dry vegetation in Garfield County where a fire could ignite and quickly spread.

Common sense and caution are the rule of the day. Enjoy our great outdoors here in western Colorado, but do so carefully. Starting a wildfire would not only ruin your day, but could cost someone a life, the loss of a home or other personal property. Undoubtedly, there would be legal consequences if you were to start a fire.

Garfield County fire restrictions

Bureau of Land Management

AUGUST 22, 2024 – The Bureau of Land Management Upper Colorado River District is removing stage 1 fire restrictions for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley Field Offices effective 12:01 a.m. Friday. BLM fire managers, along with agency partners, evaluated current fire danger and predicted weather, and determined that conditions no longer meet the criteria for remaining in fire restrictions.

“We thank the public for their cooperation during fire restrictions this year,” said Acting Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Officer Lathan Johnson. “And we ask that they continue to be fire safe while they enjoy our public lands.”

Although reduced, the risk of wildfires remains.

“Even though we’ve had rain, the threat of fire still exists,” said Johnson. “We encourage our public land users to always use caution while working or recreating outdoors: don’t park in tall, dry grass; when leaving your campfire, put it out with water, stir, and make sure it is cold to the touch; and remember that fireworks are never allowed on public land.”

BLM fire managers will work with local agencies to monitor conditions and evaluate needs for further restrictions. Fire restriction rescission orders for the BLM Upper Colorado River Valley District are available on the district website.

BLM, GCSO cancel stage 1 fire restrictions on Aug. 23

National Weather Service: Flash flood warning for western Garfield County

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National Weather Service

August 5, 2024, 1:18 p.m. – The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Western Garfield County in west central Colorado until 4:15 p.m.

At 1:18 p.m. MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.3 to 0.6 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD … Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE … Radar.

IMPACT … Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, and highways as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include … mainly rural areas of Western Garfield County

This includes Colorado 139 between mile markers 27 and 31.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Please report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and request they pass this information to the National Weather Service when you can do so safely.

Colorado 139 is prone to rockslides and mudslides in heavy rain. Stay alert for rocks and debris on roads, and avoid driving on flooded roads. Find an alternate route.

National Weather Service: Flash flood warning for western Garfield County

GCSO: Interstate 70 closed between Rulison and West Rifle due to fire

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

July 22, 2024, 3:43 p.m. – Interstate 70 closed between mile markers 81 and 87 (West Rifle exit to Rulison) due to brush fire.

July 22, 2024, 3:25 p.m. – Colorado River Fire Rescue (CRFR) crews along with Grand Valley Fire Protection District and Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit are on the scene of multiple fires along I-70 starting at mile marker 87 westbound. I-70 westbound (West Rifle exit) is closed. Please stay away from the frontage roads and avoid the area.

A brush fire burns along Interstate 70 in-between Rulison and West Rifle.
GCSO: Interstate 70 closed between Rulison and West Rifle due to fire

GarCo911: Eastbound I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon due to fire

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

7.12.24, 2:50 p.m.: GarCo911: I-70 is open between mile markers 124-133, west of Hanging Lake to Dotsero, in both lanes.

7.12.24, 2:30 p.m.: GarCo911: I-70 westbound is open between mile markers 124-133, west of Hanging Lake to Dotsero. East bound lanes remain closed.

7.12.24, 2:18 p.m.: Glenwood Springs Fire Department: At approximately 1:27 p.m., we were called to a reported vehicle fire on the eastbound lanes of I-70 in the Glenwood Canyon. Upon arrival, crews found the fire had spread to vegetation in the median. Firefighters immediately began extinguishment efforts. The fire has been knocked down. Crews are working to extinguish any remaining hot spots.

7.12.24, 1:43 p.m.: Interstate 70 is closed between mile-markers 124 and 133, both directions, west of Hanging Lake to Dotsero, due to a fire.

GarCo911: Eastbound I-70 closed in Glenwood Canyon due to fire

CDOT: Interstate 70 open in both directions in Glenwood Canyon

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Colorado Department of Transportation

March 7, 11:32 a.m. – Statewide — Eastbound Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon has reopened after a safety closure, due to a rockslide at mile point 123.5. The slide came down onto the outside westbound lane. All lanes were closed as a safety precaution. One lane of westbound I-70 is anticipated to reopen shortly. CDOT’s Geohazards team is en route to further assess the slope above the roadway. 

The slide took place at approximately 10 a.m. this morning, and is located between Grizzly Creek (exit 121) and Hanging Lake (exit 125). The slide is located east of Glenwood Springs. See below for more photos. The slide is mostly rock. Crews immediately began clearing the slide with prepositioned equipment and are making good progress on clearing the roadway. CDOT anticipates crews will be able to quickly clear the slide from the roadway. An alternate route is not recommended at this time.

Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.
Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.
Rockslide on westbound I-70 Glenwood Canyon on March 7, 2024.

March 7, 2024, 11:36 a.m. – Interstate 70 has reopened to traffic in both directions.

March 7, 2024, 10:37 a.m. – Interstate 70 eastbound/westbound is closed due to a rockslide that occurred between exit 123 – Shoshone and Exit 125 – Hanging Lake. Road closed between MM 116 (Glenwood Springs) and MM 133 (Dotsero) expect delays

CDOT: Interstate 70 open in both directions in Glenwood Canyon

I-70 reopened in South Canyon after crash

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Glenwood Springs Police Department

I-70 through Glenwood Springs is completely open now. The collision scene has been cleared. Travel cautiously in the current severe weather conditions.

Colorado Department of Transportation

12-8-23, 11:39 a.m. – At Exit 114: West Glenwood (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 114.2. Road closed expect delays due to a crash. Slower speeds are advised.

Comment: Eastbound traffic being diverted around crash using the Exit 114 off-ramp and on-ramp.

12-8-23, 10:49 a.m. – Interstate 70 is closed in both directions in South Canyon between Exit 114: West Glenwood and Exit 111: South Canyon (Glenwood Springs) at Mile Point 114. Road closed expect delays due to a crash. Slower speeds are advised.

I-70 reopened in South Canyon after crash

Snow Pool: sign up for backcountry avalanche conditions

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Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC)

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and the Avalanche Research Program of Simon Fraser University in Canada are building SNOW POOL, a community of backcountry users interested in providing feedback about their backcountry experiences and willing to review, share feedback, and provide suggestions about how to make avalanche safety information work better for everybody.

Who should sign up?

You do not have to live in Colorado or have any avalanche knowledge to participate. We are interested in the perspectives of all types of users with all levels of experience. We are especially interested in hearing from individuals who are just starting their backcountry adventures or only occasionally go into the backcountry.

What can participants expect?

Individuals who sign up will receive regular emails from CAIC and SFU to participate in short online user surveys and the opportunity to provide feedback on CAIC products and priorities. This is an opportunity to be part of a community that contributes to the development of improved avalanche risk communication, learn about CAIC research projects, and be eligible for incentive programs or entered into raffles hosted by some of our partners.

More information and sign up link are available online.

Snow Pool: sign up for backcountry avalanche conditions