Update 6 p.m.: Two wildfires burning in steep, rugged terrain near Gateway in southwest Mesa County forced more mandatory evacuations on Saturday.
The Wright Draw fire and Turner Gulch fire are burning on 672 acres of land on the west and east sides of Colorado 141, according to Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire officials
Mesa County sheriff’s officials ordered mandatory evacuations for a four-mile stretch of Colorado 141 between mile markers 120 and 124, approximately 10 miles north of Gateway.
People can evacuate to the Clifton Community Campus at 3270 D 1/2 Road in Clifton.
Update 5 p.m.: Rapid growth on the South Rim fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park forced immediate evacuations in Montrose County on Saturday afternoon.
People living on M73, N73, N74 and O74 roads should grab important information and their pets and leave immediately.
“Do not wait,” park officials said in a post on Facebook. “Do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.”
Firefighters are now focused on protecting dam infrastructure and homes, according to the agency.
Original story: A lightning-sparked wildfire burning in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park grew to nearly 3,000 acres and continued to force evacuations of nearby homes, fire officials said Saturday morning.
The South Rim fire is burning on 2,892 acres with no containment and caused evacuations for the Botswick Park area southwest of the national park late Friday night.
Botswick Park and homes up Colorado 347, including K37 Road, are still under mandatory evacuation.
Fire crews are focusing on securing the fire line and minimizing spread into the canyon, operations section chief Eric Zanotto said in a Saturday morning update.
The Sowbelly fire burning on 2,230 acres in Delta and Mesa counties is also at 0% containment, federal officials said Saturday morning.
While the fire did not grow significantly overnight, firefighters continue to have trouble accessing the fire because of the terrain and location in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness area.
Hot, dry weather is also a concern for conditions on both fires, officials said.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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