REGISTER for emergency alerts at garco911.com
SUBSCRIBE for emails from this feed - click at upper right
VIEW: Inciweb wildfires | CDOT routes | NOAA storms | CAIC avalanches
September 20, 2023, 3:26 p.m. – Interstate 70 is open at mile-marker 133, westbound, Dotsero.
September 20, 2023, 2:22 p.m. – Interstate 70 is closed at mile marker 133 westbound, Dotsero, due to an accident.
9.17.23, 4:21 p.m. – One lane of I-70 is open at mile marker 87 westbound, west Rifle. Please drive carefully.
9.17.23, 4:05 p.m. – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 87 westbound, west Rifle, due to a fire. Hwy 6 is still open as an alternate route.
Aug. 27, 2023, 12:39 a.m. – Interstate 70 open between mile markers 116 and 133 in both directions, Glenwood Springs to Dotsero.
Aug. 26, 2023, 5:22 p.m. – I-70 is closed between mile markers 116-133, in both directions, Glenwood Springs to Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.
8.25.23, 12:44 am: I-70 is open between mile markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Springs and Dotsero.
UPDATE I-70 Glenwood Canyon is open – 12:35 AM (8/25) – I-70 Glenwood Canyon all lanes are open.
UPDATE I-70 Glenwood Canyon remains closed – 9:55 PM (8/24) – Crews are performing a sweep of the canyon after the Flash Flood Warning was lifted around 9 p.m. The team is clearing debris and standing water in the eastbound lanes. There currently is no estimated time for reopening.
I-70 Glenwood Canyon CLOSED – 6:30 PM (8/24) – I-70 in Glenwood Canyon is closed due to a Flash Flood Warning for the Grizzly Creek burn scar area. **All updates will continue to be posted to cotrip.org, CDOT’s Twitter page, and available by dialing 511.**
Closure points for all traffic are Exit 133 (Dotsero), Exit 116 (Glenwood Springs), Exit 109 (Canyon Creek) and Exit 87 (West Rifle). The I-70 closure will stay in place through the Warning and then crews will review whether the canyon is safe to reopen. At this time the Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 9:00 p.m. per the National Weather Service.
8.24.23, 6:22 pm: I-70 is closed between mile markers 116 and 133 both directions, Glenwood Springs and Dotsero, due to a flash flood warning.
Flash Flood Warning
COC037-045-250300-
/O.NEW.KGJT.FF.W.0010.230825T0012Z-230825T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Grand Junction CO
612 PM MDT Thu Aug 24 2023
The National Weather Service in Grand Junction has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
The Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area in...
Western Eagle County in west central Colorado...
East Central Garfield County in west central Colorado...
* Until 900 PM MDT.
* At 612 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain over the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Flash flooding
is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Glenwood Canyon area. The debris flow can consist
of rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding in and around the Grizzly
Creek Fire Burn Area.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
Glenwood Springs and Shoshone.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and
ditches in the Grizzly Creek Fire Burn Area. Severe debris flows can
also be anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed
away in places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.
Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.
&&
LAT...LON 3965 10722 3967 10720 3965 10713 3963 10712
3965 10709 3963 10707 3961 10711 3958 10708
3957 10711 3955 10714 3954 10720 3954 10724
3956 10731 3963 10729 3963 10726 3964 10725
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
8.16.23, 5:56 pm – I-70 is closed between mile-markers 116-133 both directions, Glenwood Springs to Dotsero, due to a land/mud slide.
Today at 6 am, the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Team Two transferred command of the Spring Creek Fire to the local Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 team. Updates will continue though the official Spring Creek Fire Facebook page. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team truly enjoyed serving Garfield County the past two weeks and appreciates the hospitality and support.
7.11.123, 6:24 am – I-70 is open at mile marker 125, westbound, Hanging Lake Tunnel.
7.11.23, 6:02 am – I-70 is closed at mile marker 125 westbound, Hanging Lake Tunnel, due to an accident.
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3,286 acres
Containment: 39%
Total Personnel: 531
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current Situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two used helicopters and engines to augment the efforts of the firefighters as they worked to clean up the edge of the fire after the burnout. Substantial work was done on the holding line at the top of the ridge in Division M. The fire is still moving slowly through pockets of denser fuel. Clumps of trees within the fire perimeter may occasionally torch over the next few days, but there is little likelihood that the fire will travel outside of the holding lines.
A Red Flag Warning expired at 9 p.m. last evening; however, exceptionally dry air Tuesday to Thursday will bring the hottest days so far. That could be a factor driving fire activity since fire behavior specialists noted this fire consistently reacts to direct sunlight and the drying and preheating of fuel.
Yesterday, the Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was flown over portions of the fire using infrared sensors to check for heat. This versatile tool safely aids firefighters in determining areas that may need additional attention. Smoke will be intermittently present for some time both from the smoldering fire and from an exposed oil shale seam.
Firefighters will continue to focus on holding the perimeter today and gaining more containment. In the area where the containment line is secure, firefighters are starting to remove equipment no longer needed from the line. This backhaul process is a time-consuming effort. Items like hoses need to be cleaned and rerolled in preparation for the next fire.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather & Smoke Information: Clear skies, high temperatures, and extremely low humidity are predicted over the next several days. Winds will be close to 15 mph. A strong inversion will again develop overnight and burn off as the day warms. Near critical fire weather continues in the region. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander
Date Reported: June 24, 2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 3,230 acres
Containment: 37%
Total Personnel: 532
Location: Southwest of Parachute, CO
Current Situation: Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Two took advantage of ideal conditions yesterday to continue with the carefully planned ignitions which have been very successful over the past few days.
Aerial ignitions inside the holding lines deprive the fire of fuel and limit the opportunity for the fire growth outside the established holding line. Instead of burning one large area as is often done as a containment strategy, the team identified small segments to burn and strategically planned the best sequence of these units to get the most effective results. These decisions are based on predicted weather, prevailing winds, terrain, vegetation type, fuel moisture, and fire behavior modeling.
Yesterday, both an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) and a helicopter were used to dispense the spheres used during aerial ignitions. A UAS can only carry a limited number of plastic spheres before it needs to return and reload whereas a helicopter can carry a much greater supply. However, there are heightened safety concerns when a helicopter is used because of increased exposure and risk to the personnel on board. Because of the complexity of the operation, fire managers decided to alternately use the UAS and helicopter to provide the greatest safety measures.
After several days of ignitions, firefighters will focus on holding the perimeter today. Part of the strategy is allowing some of the remaining fire to continue to creep through the interior and finish consuming ground fuels. Securing the edge of the fire is an arduous task. While the long, hot days increase the physical challenge of fighting fire, the firefighters’ persistent efforts will slowly add more containment.
Spring Creek Road and High Mesa Road are open to local traffic only. Please avoid these areas if possible and drive with caution because of increased fire traffic on the roadway.
Weather & Smoke Information: Clear skies, high temperatures, and low humidity are predicted for the next several days. Winds will be close to 20 mph. A strong inversion will again develop overnight and burn off as the day warms. Near critical fire weather continues in the region with a Red Flag Warning for today. Please remain attentive to preventing any new fire starts.
Closures: Bureau of Land Management Colorado River Valley Field Office and US Forest Service White River National Forest have public land closure orders in place for the safety of public and firefighters.
Visit BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office and U.S. Forest Service – White River for closure orders.
Evacuations: There are no evacuations at this time. Residents are encouraged to register with Garfield County’s emergency notification system at: Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority (garco911.com). All evacuation orders will be conducted through the Sheriff’s office. Call recorded message line at 970-981-3401 for current evacuation information.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a TFR (FDC 3/0215) in place for air space over the Spring Creek Fire to reduce impacts to fire aviation operators. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
Fire Information Phoneline: (970) 414-1772 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Media inquiries: (970) 414-1665 Time: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.
Facebook: Spring Creek Fire 2023 Email: 2023.springcreek@firenet.gov InciWeb: Spring Creek Fire Information
7.8.23, 9:31 pm – Road open – both lanes of I-70 are open at mile marker 119 eastbound, Glenwood Springs.
7.8.23, 1:30 pm – Between Exit 119: No Name and Exit 123: Shoshone from Mile Point 119 to Mile Point 121 – the right lane is closed due to vehicle recovery. Watch for slow moving traffic.
7.8.23, 11:51 am – I-70 was closed westbound at exit 116, due to crash. No vehicles over 35 feet in length allowed on Independence Pass, Colorado Highway 82, mile posts 47-72.
7.8.23, 9:16 am – I-70 is closed at mile-marker 116 eastbound, Glenwood Springs exit, due to an accident.