MESA COUNTY, Colo. — New evacuations were put in place Monday for the Turner Gulch Fire burning in Mesa County, which jumped from 1,500 acres Monday afternoon to more than 12,000 acres Tuesday.
Tuesday's evacuations include a stretch of Highway 141 in Gateway between mile markers 120 and 134. The evacuation zone appeared to be in a 3-mile area.
An evacuation center is set up at the Clifton Community Center located at 3270 D 1/2 Road in Clifton. Residents with large animals can call 970-778-0161 to connect with resources. There is a community meeting scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Gateway Community Center on Hwy 141. This event page link on Facebook has more information.
The Bureau of Land Management has closed the following public lands:
- East of Niche Road
- West of Divide Road
- North of the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forest boundary
- South of Highway 141
The Turner Gulch Fire burning in Mesa County pushed about eight miles east on Monday and remained active overnight.
Dry fuels and changes in the direction of the wind will result in more "extreme fire behavior" on Tuesday, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 said. That team assumed management of the fire Tuesday morning.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, the Turner Gulch Fire was 12,488 acres and 0% contained.
The Turner Gulch Fire is burning near the 341-acre Wright Draw Fire, which is just west of Highway 141. Both blazes broke out on July 10 during red flag conditions and "extensive" dry lightning, according to the most recent report from the management team. They are burning in areas that are difficult to access.
Below is a map of the two fires and where firefighters are attacking them. No structures have been lost in either fire.
The Turner Gulch Fire and Wright Draw Fire are both threatening "values" within the canyon, the management team said.
"Extreme drought conditions, steep terrain, and hot and dry weather will continue to challenge firefighters on the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fires," the management team said. "Today, fire managers will continue assessing the fires, looking for opportunities to stop fire spread while protecting values at risk."
Crews at the Turner Gulch Fire were able to secure part of the fireline along the west side of the fire, which protected at-risk areas along Highway 141. On Tuesday, they continued to assess and prep structures that are adjacent to and ahead of the fire.
The management team said they have ordered more firefighting resources to help with these two fires. About 475 fire personnel are already working around the blazes, including Adams County Fire Rescue from the metro area.
To receive Mesa County emergency alerts, register online here. To ask specifics about this fire, call the information phone line at 970-852-6920 or email 2025.turnergulch@firenet.gov.
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