New Wildfires are Burning In Western Colorado

Western Colorado worked hard throughout July to suppress five large wildfires on the Western Slope. While significant progress has been made, we begin the month of August with two new fires to add to our troubles this summer.

Keep scrolling for the latest on Western Colorado's wildfires, including details on the new Leroux fire in Delta County and the new Elk fire in Rio Blanco County.

Wildfire Status in Western Colorado

• Deer Creek Fire (10 miles West of Paradox, Colorado): The Deer Creek fire has burned 17,724 acres, and is 95% contained on August 4th. A total of 167 personnel are working on the fire. See revised road and trail closures for the Deer Creek Wildfire here.
• South Rim Fire (Black Canyon of the Gunnison in Montrose): The South Rim fire has burned 4232 acres, and is 52% contained. 47 personnel are currently working the fire. BLM Colorado has issued a temporary closure for public roads managed by BLM in the Jones Draw/Pinyon Springs Draw area southwest of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Hwy 347 is closed at the National Park boundary.
• Sowbelly Fire (Dominguez–Escalante National Conservation Area): The Sowbelly fire burned 2274 acres in Escalante Canyon, and is 100% contained. Remaining fire and medical support personnel have been assigned to other fires. Daily updates have stopped. The intersection of 36 4/10 Escalante Fork and ZS will remain closed until further notice.
• Turner Gulch Fire (Unaweep Canyon in Mesa County): The Turner Gulch Fire has burned 21683 acres, and is 49% contained as of August 4th. Members of the Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (CIMT) have assumed command of this fire. Hotshot crews are working Forest Road 416 to work southwestward, constructing fireline from the city communications tower toward the Ute Creek drainage.
• Wright Draw Fire (Unaweep Canyon in Mesa County): The Wright Draw fire has burned 466 acres and is 92% contained. Daily updates have stopped, but will continue if fire activity increases.

New and Emerging Fires to Watch

Read More: Good News: Colorado's North Rim of the Black Canyon Reopens

• Leroux Creek Fire (Delta County): The Leroux Creek fire has burned 700 acres with 0% containment as of August 4th. The fire was started by a lightning strike on the afternoon of August 3rd. Local BLM Southwest District fire crews, Hotchkiss, Paonia, and Crawford Volunteer Fire Departments, and DFPC are currently on scene.
• Muddy Fire (Near Hwy 133 and County Road 12): The Muddy Fire is a small 3-acre fire that briefly threatened areas near the west end of the Kebler Pass. This fire is at 100% containment. Fire crews have started the early stages of mop-up.
• Elk Fire (Near Meeker, Colorado): Multiple fires are burning in the Meeker, Colorado, area as of August 4th. The largest fire is the Elk Fire near the Oak Ridge area off County Road 8. The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office said the fire grew from 600 to 2000 acres on Sunday.
• The Lee Fire is burning 20 miles southwest of Meeker. This fire is nearing oil and gas infrastructure in the Magnolia area. The third fire, dubbed the Grease Fire, started Sunday afternoon, 12 miles west of Meeker, and was estimated at 215 acres. Find more info in today's recap from the Meeker Herald Times.

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