Garfield County Sheriff’s Office: Evacuation lifted and I-70 open in Rulison area between Parachute and Rifle

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Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

6.20.25, 10:20 p.m. – Road open – I-70 is open between mile markers 75 to 87 both directions, between Parachute and west Rifle.

6.20.25, 8:08 p.m. – Evacuation lifted – Rulison area evacuation has been lifted.

6.20.25, 8:03 p.m. – Road open – Highway 6 is open between mile markers 75-87 both directions, from Parachute to west Rifle. I-70 remains closed at this time.

Autoridad de Comunicaciones de Emergencia del Condado de Garfield

6.20.25, 10:20 pm – Camino abierto – La I-70 está abierta entre los marcadores de millas 75 a 87 en ambas direcciones, entre Parachute y el oeste de Rifle.

6.20.25, 8:08 pm – Se levanta la evacuación – Se ha levantado la evacuación del área de Rulison.

6.20.25, 8:03 p. m. â€“ Carretera abierta. La autopista 6 está abierta entre los marcadores de millas 75 y 87 en ambas direcciones, desde Parachute hasta el oeste de Rifle. La I-70 permanece cerrada en este momento.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

Evacuation has been ordered for Rulison area

6.20.25, 6:23 p.m. – Evacuations ordered for Rulison area: one mile east of the 81 and one mile west of the 81 evacuate to the Garfield County Fairgrounds.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

6.20.25, 6:05 p.m. – EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY IN AREA OF FIRE: Rulison Area: Due to the fire, evacuate the area immediately. All people and small animals (as well as large animals) should go to the Garfield County Fairgrounds.

I-70 is closed between mile markers 75 and 87 westbound, from Parachute to West Rifle, due to a fire.

Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Garfield

Se ha ordenado la evacuación del área de Rulison.

6.20.25, 6:23 pm – Se ordenaron evacuaciones para el área de Rulison: una milla al este de la 81 y una milla al oeste de la 81, evacuen al recinto ferial del condado de Garfield.

Garco911/CDOT: I-70 en dirección oeste cerrada entre Parachute y el oeste de Rifle

EVACUAR INMEDIATAMENTE – Ãrea de Rulison: Debido al incendio, evacue el área inmediatamente. Todas las personas y animales pequeños (así como los animales grandes) deben dirigirse al recinto ferial de Rifle.

La I-70 está cerrada entre los marcadores de millas 75 y 87 en dirección oeste, desde Parachute hasta West Rifle, debido a un incendio.

Garfield County Sheriff’s Office: Evacuation lifted and I-70 open in Rulison area between Parachute and Rifle

Garco911/CDOT: I-70 westbound closed between Parachute and west Rifle

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Colorado Department of Transportation

6.20.25, 5:47 p.m. – Between Exit 90: CO 13; Rifle (Rifle) and Exit 75: Parachute (Parachute) from mile point 87 to mile point 75. Road closed, expect delays due to safety concerns.

Comment: Large brush fire near interstate, both lanes closed for safety. US-6 is also closed.

Please plan for delays and use EXTREME CAUTION as conditions change rapidly.

Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority

6.20.25, 5:34 p.m. – I-70 is closed between mile markers 75 and 87 westbound, from Parachute to West Rifle, due to a fire.

Garco911/CDOT: I-70 westbound closed between Parachute and west Rifle

Electricity outage affecting parts of Glenwood Springs

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The City of Glenwood Springs

June 20, 2:25 p.m. – There is an Xcel electric transmission outage affecting parts of Glenwood Springs and other parts of the valley. Xcel crews are aware and are working on bringing the system up as quickly as possible. There is no estimate at this time for power to be restored. Updates will be posted at cogs.us.

Electricity outage affecting parts of Glenwood Springs

Law enforcement activity at 513 West Ave. in Rifle

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Garfield County Sheriff’s Office

On June 18, 2025, the SPEAR task force, with the assistance of the Garfield County All Hazards Response Team (AHRT), executed a narcotics related search warrant at 513 West Ave. in the City of Rifle.

With elements of this case still open, we will hold off on some of the details but wanted the public to know there is no ongoing threat to the community.

SPEAR would like to thank the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Rifle Police Department for their assistance.

SPEAR is a multi-jurisdictional task force based out of the Garfield County, comprised of local and federal law enforcement agencies. Anyone with information on criminal activity is encouraged to reach out to SPEAR through your local law enforcement agency or dispatch at 970 625-8095.

Law enforcement activity at 513 West Ave. in Rifle

Xcel Energy: Planned power outage in Parachute

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Xcel Energy

June 9, 2025, 3:23 p.m. – A power outage is planned for the Town of Parachute on June 10, 2025, from roughly 7 p.m. until June 11, 2025, at 6 a.m. The outage is needed while Xcel Energy replaces several utility poles and makes repairs as part of its wildfire mitigation program (WMP). Xcel has placed calls to affected homeowners and notified the town of the outage.

Xcel Energy powerline replacement project

Xcel Energy: Planned power outage in Parachute

NWS: Gusty winds, low humidity and dry fuels trigger red flag warnings and fire weather watches

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National Weather Service

Fire Weather Watch

URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
244 PM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025

Lower Colorado River-Colorado River Headwaters-
244 PM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025

…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 8 PM MDT FRIDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…
…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 7000 FEET…

The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a Fire Weather Watch for gusty winds, low relative humidity and dry fuels, which is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening. A Red Flag Warning remains in effect from noon to 8 PM Friday and a Fire Weather Watch remains in effect Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA…In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 203 Lower Colorado River and Fire Weather Zone 205 Colorado River Headwaters below 7000 feet.

* TIMING…For the Red Flag Warning, from noon to 8 PM MDT Friday. For the first Fire Weather Watch, from Saturday afternoon through Saturday evening. For the second Fire Weather Watch, from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening.

* WINDS…For Friday and Saturday, south 15 to 20 mph with gusts to 40 mph. For Sunday south 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…8 to 13 percent.

* IMPACTS…Fires will catch and spread quickly. Exercise extreme caution with any outdoor burning.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible Red Flag Warnings.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
248 AM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025

Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-
Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-
Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-
Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-
Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-
Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-
West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-Upper Gunnison River Valley-
Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-Northwest San Juan Mountains-
Southwest San Juan Mountains-Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-
Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-
San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-
Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau-Arches/Grand Flat-
La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-
248 AM MDT Thu Apr 24 2025

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Colorado, southwest Colorado, west central Colorado, east central Utah, northeast Utah and southeast Utah.

.DAY ONE…Today and tonight.

A weak disturbance will cause scattered showers and a few thunderstorms to fire this afternoon. Northeast Utah and Northwest Colorado will have the best chances to see this convection. Gusty outflow winds will be the main concern.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday.

Gusty surface winds of 25 to 35 mph, if not higher at times, are expected each afternoon from Friday through the weekend. Low afternoon relative humidities and dry fuels will allow critical fire weather conditions to occur Friday afternoon. Red Flag Warnings have been issued for those fire zones where these conditions will be met.

Similar conditions are possible Saturday. Fire Weather Watches have been issued to account for this possibility.

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT…

Spotter activation is not expected today or tonight, however spotters are encouraged to report excessive wind or any observed wind related damage to the National Weather Service in Grand Junction.

NWS: Gusty winds, low humidity and dry fuels trigger red flag warnings and fire weather watches