Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

I-70 open in Glenwood Canyon after mudslide

Garfield County Joint Information System

Colorado Department of Transportation

6-26-21, 10:25 pm
I-70 westbound, left lane, is open in Glenwood Canyon. Right lane closed at mile marker 120. Eastbound lanes opened earlier.

6-26-21, 7:45 pm
CDOT: I-70 EASTBOUND ONLY open at mile marker 109 through Glenwood Canyon. Westbound still closed, with no estimated time to reopen.

6-26-21, 5:05 pm
I-70 Corridor – I-70 in Glenwood Canyon is closed in both directions for a debris flow that occurred around 3:00 p.m. this afternoon. Crews report the flow to be between 6 and 10 feet deep and 70 foot wide. No injuries or trapped vehicles have been reported.

This is an EXTENDED CLOSURE and motorists are encouraged to utilize the alternate route (Please see attached map). That route is CO 13 Rifle to Craig, east on US 40 to Steamboat over Rabbit Ears Pass to Kremmling down CO 9 to Silverthorne.

The closure points are EB mile point 87/West Rifle and WB Exit 133/Dotsero. Motorist traveling WB can access CO 82 Independence Pass as well. 

Please do not use travel applications to look for alternate routes.There are many auxiliary roads such as Cottonwood Pass, Hagerman Pass and Eagle/Thomasville Road that are not passable and do not have cell service. Cottonwood Pass is restricted to local traffic only.

6-26-21, 2:58 pm
I-70 CLOSED between Exit 133 (Dotsero) and Exit 116 (CO 82, Glenwood Springs) due to a mudslide in the area. There is no estimated time of reopening, and motorists are asked to use alternate route on Highway 13 north or Highway 50 south. Closure is in both directions. Eastbound lanes are also closed at MP 109 and MP 87. Check COtrip.org for updated closure and condition information.

6-26-21, 3:25 pm
I-70 (Glenwood Canyon) closed due to mudslide – no estimated time of reopening.

Debris flow in Glenwood Canyon

Debris flow in Glenwood Canyon

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY

6-26-21, 3:09 pm

I-70 is closed at mile marker 133 to mile marker 116 westbound due to a land/mudslide. I-70 is closed at mile marker 109 to 133 eastbound lanes due to a land/mudslide.

I-70 open in Glenwood Canyon after mudslide

Inciweb: Oil Springs Fire grows to 12,707 acres; Douglas Pass reopened

Garfield County Joint Information System, , ,

Note: this fire is in Rio Blanco County north of western Garfield County, and Douglas Pass is closed in Garfield County.

Oil Springs Fire on Inciweb
Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office evacuation information

RIO BLANCO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

6-26-2021, 8:00 a.m.

Highway 139/Douglas Pass open in western Garfield County:  Firefighter personnel and vehicles are still actively using the highway to access the fire area in Rio Blanco County just north of Garfield County for the now 12,707 acre Oil Springs Fire. Some burn areas are along the highway. Reduced speed is advised.

BLM COLORADO FIRE

6-21-21, 11:49 a.m.

UPDATE on the Oil Springs Fire, 20 miles south of Rangely as of 10 a.m. June 21:

Oil Springs Fire Road Closures and Evacuation area still in effect as of 10:00am 6/21/2021.

Highway 139 remains closed due to the Oil Springs Fire. County Road 23 at the intersection with County Road 113 Remains closed and County Road 122 at Mile Marker 10 remains closed.

All evacuations from last night are still in place as well: County Road 116 (West of Highway 139), County Road 120, 27, 28, 103, 26A and 128.

RIO BLANCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE

6-21-21, 2 a.m.
Start Date: 06/18/2021
Location: 20 miles South of Rangely
Size: 5000 acres
Percent Contained: 0 %
Cause: Lightning
Fuel type: Juniper and pinyon

The fire had significant growth today, having multiple spot fires and crossing Highway 139. Firefighters are still witnessing active fire behaviour due to dry conditions, receptive fuels and wind. Multiple agencies have been called in to assist with structure protections through the night as winds are expected to continue with gusts up to 40 mph.

Smoke is visible from Highway 139, County Road 23 and County Road 113 intersection, County Road 122 at mile marker 10.

Evacuations in Rio Blanco County include County Road 116, County Road 27, County Road 28, County Road 120, County Road 26A, County Road 103 and County Road 128.

With the Red flag, high winds and low relative humidity, the fire is expected to be very active today.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA COORDINATION CENTER of NATIONAL INTERAGENCY FIRE CENTER

6-20-21 at 8:11 p.m. – Oil Springs Fire 45 miles NNW of Grand Junction is 5,000 acres. Great Basin IMT2 Team 3 has been ordered and began in-briefing Monday, June 21, at 8 a.m.

GARFIELD COUNTY EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AUTHORITY – Garco911

6-20-21 at 6:39 p.m. – Hwy 139 in Garfield County is closed between mile-markers 12 to 39 both directions, Douglas Pass, due to a wildland fire. Fire is putting off a lot of smoke.

Inciweb: Oil Springs Fire grows to 12,707 acres; Douglas Pass reopened

GCECA: Fire closes Douglas Pass

Garfield County Joint Information System, , , ,

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

Hwy 139 is closed between mile-markers 12 to 39 both directions, Douglas Pass, due to a wildland fire. Fire is putting off a lot of smoke.

BLM: Small fires in Garfield County

The BLM reported a number of spot fires in western Garfield County yesterday. Federal maps show these north of Debeque in Garfield County, west of Rifle and one along the Hogback range north of Silt.

USFS: Sylvan Fire burning south of Eagle

Updates
Sylvan Fire in Eagle County on Inciweb
Sylvan Fire evacuation and community information

Pitkin County alert
6-21-21 9:00 a.m.
As of 6:30 a.m., the upper Frying Pan from the dam to Hagerman Pass is under pre-evacuation notice, due to the Sylvan Fire. An evacuation center is set up at the Basalt High School (600 Southside Drive). If you choose to evacuate and need resources, please go to the Basalt High School. More information is available at ecemo.org, or follow your local media and social media for updates.

White River National Forest: Sylvan Fire
June 20, 2021 8:59 p.m.

EAGLE, Colo. — Sixty firefighters, four single-engine air-tankers and a light helicopter worked the 180-acre Sylvan Fire 12 miles south of Eagle, Colo. today.

The fire is burning in timber on the White River National Forest about half a mile from Sylvan Lake State Park. Firefighters reported extreme fire behavior, as strong winds pushed the fire to the south and southeast.

The fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. today. The cause is currently unknown and under investigation.

Campers and others recreating in Sylvan Lake State Park and much of the surrounding lands have been evacuated. Much of the area in the vicinity of the fire has been closed, including Sylvan Lake State Park. Firefighters have taken steps to protect structures at the state park. Other infrastructure at risk includes a major power line in the burn area.

The latest information, including a map of the closure when it is available, is being posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7562/.  

White River National Forest: Sylvan Fire update June 20, 2021 6 p.m.

Federal and local firefighters are on-scene of the Sylvan Fire burning about ½-mile west of Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County. The fire is estimated at 90 acres and growing in lodgepole pine and other timber on the White River National Forest. It is being pushed by high winds and firefighters are reporting extreme fire behavior.

Additional ground crews and aerial resources have been ordered. Campers and others recreating in Sylvan Lake State Park and much of the surrounding lands have been evacuated. Crews are working on structure protection preparation work in Sylvan Lake State Park. There is a major transmission line in the fire area.

The cause is unknown. More information will be shared when it becomes available.  

CDPHE: Air Quality Health Advisory for wildfire smoke

Issued for Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Routt, and Eagle counties

Issued at 6:30 PM MDT, Sunday, June 20, 2021

Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Affected area:  Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Routt, and Eagle Counties. Locations include, but are not limited to Craig, Meeker, Rifle, Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs, Eagle, and Vail.

Advisory in effect:  6:30 PM MDT, Sunday, June 20, 2021 to 9:00 AM MDT, Monday, June 21, 2021.

Public health recommendations: If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood you may want to remain indoors.  This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young, and the elderly.  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.

Outlook:  Areas of moderate to heavy smoke have been observed across the advisory area Saturday evening due to smoke transported from both in-state and out-of-state wildfires.  Smoke will likely linger overnight as the winds turn calm, particularly in valley locations. 

For the latest Smoke Outlook, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/addendum.aspx#smoke

For more information about smoke and your health, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/wildfire.aspx

For the latest Colorado statewide air quality conditions, forecasts, and advisories, visit:
http://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colorado_summary.aspx

Social media:
http://www.facebook.com/cdphe.apcd
http://twitter.com/cdpheapcd

GCECA: Fire closes Douglas Pass

Garco911: Canyon reopen on I-70 following accident in Glenwood Canyon

Garfield County Joint Information System,

1:53 a.m. – CDOT reopened all lanes on I-70 in Glenwood Canyon following crash cleanup.

3:40 p.m. – CDOT has placed an eastbound closure point on I-70 at exit 87 (Rifle) to encourage use of the alternative route. Local traffic is still able to pass through to Glenwood Springs as needed at exits 87 and 109, but eastbound traffic is fully closed at exit 116.

3:20 p.m. – Local access is open on I-70 eastbound from exit 109 (Canyon Creek) to Glenwood Springs/CO 82, but local traffic is being screened and is moving slowly. There is no eastbound access past exit 116 (main Glenwood Springs exit). Please plan accordingly.

2:44 p.m. – CDOT: Between Exit 109: US 6; Canyon Creek (1 mile east of the New Castle area) and Exit 133: Dotsero (Dotsero). Update: remains closed during ongoing crash cleanup in eastbound lanes. All WB lanes now open. Use alternate routes north of I-70. Extensive construction & other restrictions ongoing along multiple routes south of I-70.

2 p.m. – I-70 EB through Glenwood Canyon following serious crash.  Early est. for eastbound being re-opened is 12 HOURS. I-70 EB is CLOSED at MP 109 (Canyon Creek) – only open for local access.  All others should use COtrip.org for alt route.

1:50 p.m. – COTrips: There is an extended closure in place for I-70 eastbound in Glenwood Canyon due to a major crash. The closure is expected to continue through Friday night, May 28, 2021.

Due to the extended closure, *eastbound* motorists on #I70 are advised to take the northern alternate route if traveling eastbound between Rifle and Eagle County, Summit County or the Denver metro area. Motorists should anticipate delays on the alternate route due to additional detour traffic. Westbound I-70 is closed at this time but the closure is expected to be shorter than for eastbound. Eastbound and westbound are closed due to a crash in the eastbound lanes near Mile Point 125, which is near the Hanging Lake exit.

RECOMMENDED ALTERNATE ROUTE FOR EASTBOUND TRAVELERS:
Motorists traveling eastbound on I-70 can reach the Denver Metro area by turning north from I-70 onto Colorado Highway 13 at Rifle (Exit 90). Travel north on CO 13 to Craig, then turn east on US Highway 40 towards Kremmling. In Kremmling, motorists should head south on Colorado Highway 9 towards Silverthorne. In Silverthorne, motorists can rejoin eastbound I-70.

Before detouring onto any alternate route, motorists should refer to www.cotrip.org for the latest road conditions. CDOT strongly discourages travelers from using highways south of I-70 for an alternate route, due to extensive construction closures. CDOT also asks that motorists not use Cottonwood Pass Road (in Eagle/Garfield counties), Hagerman Pass, Eagle/Thomasville Road or other county or forest service roads in Eagle, Garfield and Pitkin counties as a detour. These roads are not built for heavy traffic or commercial oversize vehicles. Many of these four-wheel drive roads also do not have cell phone coverage.

1:36 p.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 109 EB, Canyon Creek, to reroute traffic due to an accident in Glenwood Canyon.

12:35 p.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 116 EB, Glenwood Springs, due to an accident.

CDOT: I-70 eastbound / westbound 6 miles east of Glenwood Springs (milemarker 124.4-124.4) road closed.

Garco911: Canyon reopen on I-70 following accident in Glenwood Canyon

GCSO: Eastbound I-70 closed near New Castle following crash

webedit, ,

UPDATE – 5:05 pm
Garfield County Emergency Operations Center: I-70 open at mile marker 105 eastbound, New Castle.

5-21-21, 10 am
Eastbound I-70 is closed due to an accident at the 107 mile marker. Eastbound traffic is being diverted onto US Highway 6 at the 105 (New Castle Exit) and will re-enter at the 109, Canyon Creek Exit.

Westbound traffic remains open but is moving slow.

Two medical helicopters are on scene to evacuate the injured. The accident occurred around 9:00 AM between a car and a semi.

Closure of Eastbound I-70 is anticipated to last several hours. Diverted travelers on US Highway 6, eastbound are asked to drive careful and not stop along the highway to view the accident clean-up operations.

Thank you for your cooperation in this incident.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACTUALIZACIÓN – 5:05 pm
Centro de operaciones de emergencia del condado de Garfield: I-70 abierta en la milla 105 en dirección este, New Castle.

5-21-21, 10 am
La I-70 en dirección este está cerrada entre New Castle y Glenwood Springs debido a un accidente. El tráfico en dirección este se está desviando hacia la autopista US 6 en el punto de milla 105 (salida de New Castle) y volverá a entrar en el punto de milla 109 (salida de Canyon Creek).

El tráfico en dirección oeste permanece abierto pero se mueve lento.

Se prevé que el cierre de la I-70 en dirección este durará varias horas. A los viajeros desviados en la autopista US 6, en dirección este, se les pide que conduzcan con cuidado y no se detengan a lo largo de la carretera para ver las operaciones de limpieza del accidente.

GCSO: Eastbound I-70 closed near New Castle following crash

CSP: I-70 eastbound closed at Glenwood Springs exit 116

Garfield County Joint Information System,

UPDATE at 12:20 am: 911 dispatch reports I-70 is open between mile markers 116 to 119 both directions; both westbound lanes and one eastbound lane is open.

UPDATE at 10:24 pm: 911 dispatch reports I-70 is closed between mile markers 116 and 119 both directions, between the Glenwood and No Name exits, due to an accident.

UPDATE at 4:40 pm: I-70 open at mile marker 114 and 116 for one lane traffic eastbound. There will be intermittent closures for the next several hours.

2:34 pm: Accident just east of Glenwood Springs exit 116 closed I-70 with no estimated time of reopening.

CSP: I-70 eastbound closed at Glenwood Springs exit 116

Grizzly Creek Fire update

webspec, , , ,

Start Date: 08/10/2020     
Location: Glenwood Canyon
Cause: Human                                         
Fire Size: 32,464 acres
Containment: 91%
Total Personnel: 383

Facebook Live Community Meeting tonight at 6 p.m. Tune in to www.facebook.com/GrizzlyCreekFireCO for updates and a live Q&A with the Alaska IMT, the Type 3 Upper Colorado River Fire Management Organization, the incoming Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, local officials and cooperating agencies.

(EAGLE, Colo.) – The Upper Colorado River Fire Type 3 Organization will assume command of the fire on Wednesday, after shadowing the Alaska Incident Management Team today. The teams are working closely with
management agencies to ensure a smooth transition as priorities shift from suppression to suppression repair.

The Type 3 Organization will be working cooperatively with the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team. BAER Teams, composed of resource specialists, are brought in to determine the need for, prescribe and, if necessary, implement emergency treatments to stabilize burned areas and watersheds.

Containment reached 91% as the southern perimeter of the fire in Devil’s Hole Creek drainage was completed. Crews have been patrolling this section of line for days, cold-trailing and checking for heat. Temperatures are expected to peak around 50 degrees this morning as the cold front pushes in from the north, with showers beginning as early as sunrise. Temperatures are slated to fall steadily throughout the day, reaching
the 30s by early evening. Rain will turn to snow as forecast temperatures drop below freezing overnight, with accumulations from 2 to 6 inches, and higher amounts expected over 10,000 feet.

Safety Officer Mike Bradley urged firefighters to exercise caution as the freezing rain and snow will make for dangerous driving conditions around the fire. Wintry storms and the attendant slippery roads and poor visibility
are expected to continue into Wednesday and taper off.

Suppression repair continues around the fire, with excavators, dozers and hand crews working to return the fireline to a more natural state. Inclement weather is expected to slow progress.

The number of personnel working on the fire has dropped to 383. There are six crews, one helicopter, 21 engines, six excavators, five dozers, three water tenders and one skidgine still working on the fire.

Fire closure areas have been reduced by the White River National Forest and Colorado River Valley BLM office. Coffee Pot and Transfer Trail roads remain closed. Both closure orders and associated maps can be found here.

Interstate 70 remains open to two-way traffic. Go to cotrip.org for information on interstate closures.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for details

Fire information/media line: (970) 930-1850
Email: 2020.grizzlycreek@firenet.gov
inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6942/
https://www.facebook.com/GrizzlyCreekFireCO

Grizzly Creek Fire update

Pine Gulch Fire update

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Southern Area Red Team – Mike Dueitt, Incident Commander
Information Center: (970) 628-0130, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Media Inquiries: (970) 812-3706, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Pine Gulch Fire Statistics:
Size: approximately 139,007 acres
Containment: 87%
Total Personnel: 600
Location: Approximately 18 miles north of Grand Junction, CO
Reported: July 31, approximately 5:15 p.m.
Cause: Lightning

Resources: 1 Type 1 hand crews, 2 Type 2 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 29 engines, 10 bulldozers, 14 water tenders, 5 masticators 6 skidgens and overhead/support personnel

Special Note: With the upcoming holiday weekend, please check and follow current fire restrictions while you are recreating. Mesa County, Garfield County and the Bureau of Land Management are all under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. See bit.ly/Fire_Restrictions to see what is prohibited and allowed at this stage.

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to monitor, patrol and mop up the Pine Gulch Fire as well as backhaul unneeded equipment. All but four of the 300 water pumps that were used to protect structures threatened by the fire have been removed. Small areas of heat still persist in the northwest side of the fire in Munger Creek and East Salt Creek (Division D/E). Less fire activity was seen in Munger Creek yesterday than on Wednesday. The area of focus for hand crews continues to be mopping up along the southern rim of the East Salt Creek main canyon. Firefighting personnel and equipment are being released as the fire approaches full containment.

Assessing and repairing damage from fire suppression continues throughout the fire perimeter and interior. Good progress is being made with work such as installing water bars on roads, spreading piled up soil/vegetation and mulching cut brush/limbs. Fence repair will continue today in Garby Canyon. Law enforcement officers will escort heavy equipment moving along Highway 139 near Douglas Pass, so motorists may experience delays today. Hand crews are working in tandem with heavy equipment in several sites to help stack brush.

Weather Forecast & Fire Behavior: Mostly clear with high temperatures around 90 at low elevations and in the 80’s at high elevations. Dry, with relative humidity 8 to 14 percent. Winds will mostly be terrain driven, 2-5 mph, with gusts near 20 mph. High Pressure will shift east across the Great Basin and over the Central Rockies this weekend. Expect very dry conditions with poor overnight humidity recoveries today through Sunday. Winds will increase, mainly during afternoon hours when gusts may exceed 25 mph. As a result, an increased potential for critical fire weather conditions exists.

No fire perimeter growth is expected today as smoldering and creeping fire activity will continue within containment lines. Heavy dead and down vegetation remains very dry and will burn despite recent precipitation. Isolated pockets of live and dead vegetation may be visible in the fire’s interior. Surface fire and isolated single tree torching is possible. Firefighters are monitoring these pockets to ensure they pose no threat to containment lines.

Area Closure: A Bureau of Land Management area closure is in effect for lands managed by the agency in the fire area. Areas are closed beyond the following road junctions:

266 Road at Highway 139County Road 200 at County Line21 Road at entrance to Hunter Canyon16 Road at V8/10 RoadCounty (Roan Creek) Road 204 at 209 intersectionEnd of V2/10 Road at BLM closureQ 5/10 Road at 18 Road Garvey Canyon Road

Note: Motorists may encounter delays in the Douglas Pass area of Highway 139 and County Road 256. For more information, please see www.facebook.com/BLMColoradoFire

Open Areas:

County Road 256 east of Douglas Pass Base of Bookcliffs Coal CanyonNorth Fruita Desert, 18 Road, campground and bike trails V 2/10 Road north of the Wild Horse Management Area Mount Garfield hiking trail to foot travel

Emergency Alerts: For Garfield County, please visit garco911.com. Mesa County alerts, please visit bit.ly/Emergency_Alerts.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Pine Gulch Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Pine Gulch Fire update

Grizzly Creek Fire update

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Incident Commander: Norm McDonald 
Start Date: 08/10/2020                                     
Location: Glenwood Canyon
Cause: Human
Fire Size: 32,464 acres
Containment: 83%
Total Personnel: 548

(EAGLE, Colo.) – As predicted, warmer, drier conditions prevailed over the Grizzly Creek Fire, a trend that is forecast to continue and peak on Saturday with temperatures climbing to 90 degrees. However, control lines continued to hold strong on Thursday, as firefighters labored to build more containment line and strengthen existing line.

There was no change in acreage burned for the fifth day in a row while estimated containment climbed a single percent to 83%. Of the 78.5 miles of containment line around the fire, approximately 65 miles have been secured. Much of the remaining uncontained line will stay that way because it is too dangerous for firefighters to access.

“We’re on track to have suppression operations completed by Sunday,” reported Karen Scholl, operations planning chief for the Alaska Incident Management Team, which has command of the fire.

Even with temperatures in the mid 80s and relative humidities dipping into the 20% range, the fire showed little sign of life Thursday. A few visible smokes popped up behind Bair Ranch on the southeast side, as well as in the Grizzly and No Name creek drainages on the northwest corner. The heat in both areas was addressed with helicopter water drops. Interior portions of the fire will continue to put up random smokes until a season-ending rain or snow event.

With fire activity at a minimum, the main focus now is on repairing dozer lines constructed during initial and extended attack, commonly referred to as “suppression repair.” There are six excavators and six dozers tackling line rehab. So far, 31 miles of line have been repaired and there are another 7.5 miles pending. There are another 27.5 miles of potential line that are being assessed. Most suppression repair should be complete this weekend, with the exception of Transfer Trail Road. That last piece will take at least another week of work, Scholl said.

The hot, dry conditions will continue through the holiday weekend before a drastic change in the weather early next week. Forecasters are calling for sub-freezing temperatures and possible snow by Wednesday night as a cold front moves into the area late Monday. However, given the weekend forecast, fire managers say it is imperative that hunters, campers and others celebrating the holiday weekend be extremely careful with any activity that could spark a wildfire. A statewide fire ban remains in effect because of the tinder dry conditions in much of Colorado.

Fire closure areas were reduced on Thursday by the White River National Forest and BLM Colorado River Valley office. Coffee Pot and Transfer Trail roads remain closed, as well as areas of the Flat Tops Wilderness accessed by those roads. A new closure order and map for both agencies can be found on the White River NF website. For public and firefighter safety, motorists, recreationalists and hunters are asked to adhere to the closures.

Interstate 70 remains open. Expect periodic delays for firefighting operations and possible flash floods in the event of heavy rain. Go to cotrip.org for information on interstate closures.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire. Go to https://tfr.faa.gov for details.

Grizzly Creek Fire update