DENVER — Crews across the state are battling multiple wildfires as critical fire weather conditions persist in many parts of Colorado. The Sylvan Fire in Eagle County appears to be the most active, forcing officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders Tuesday evening.
We are providing the latest updates on all wildfire activity in the state:
Sylvan Fire
Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued in the Sylvan Fire in Eagle County for the areas of Hat Creek, Yeoman State Park and Fulford. Officials said Tuesday evening that everyone in these areas needs to evacuate immediately.
The Sylvan Fire was reported at 2,600 acres Tuesday morning, but by Tuesday night it had grown to 3,359 acres with no containment estimate. Firefighters expected another day of active fire behavior with hot, dry and windy conditions, which crews said led to fire activity increasing dramatically. Lightning is suspected as the cause of the fire.
An additional 60 firefighters arrived Tuesday to assist.
The fire is burning 12 miles south of the town of Eagle near Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County and forced officials to issue pre-evacuation notices Sunday, which are still in place. Campers and others recreating in Sylvan Lake State Park and much of the surrounding lands were evacuated.
On Monday morning, the Pitkin County Sheriff's Office said all residents, businesses and other people in the Ruedi, Meredith and Thomasville areas may be asked to evacuate if the Sylvan Wildfire worsens. As of 6:30 a.m., the upper Frying Pan from the dam to Hagerman Pass is under pre-evacuation notice. An evacuation center is set up at the Basalt High School, located at 600 Southside Drive.
The fire was first reported around 3:15 p.m. Sunday and was estimated to be at 400 acres and growing in lodgepole pine and other timber on the White River National Forest.
It is being pushed by high winds and firefighters are reporting extreme fire behavior, officials said.
Latest on the Sylvan Fire
Tuesday
6:46 p.m. | Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for the areas of Hat Creek, Yeoman State Park and Fulford. If you are in these areas you need to evacuate immediately. Pre-evacuation orders are in place for all residents in the areas of Frost Creek, Salt Creek and Bruce Creek. This means that residents should be prepared to evacuate with little to no notice.
5:28 p.m. | Sylvan Fire officials said fire activity picked up through the day Tuesday as the clouds lifted and winds out of the west pushed the fire toward the east. The fire has grown to 2,630 acres and is 0% contained.
#SylvanFire is increasing in activity this afternoon and pushing east. We are coordinating closely with Eagle and Pitkin counties. For the latest about pre-evacuations or evacuations, visit https://t.co/UNhDziC1W2 for Eagle County and https://t.co/Ox9btMI4VX for Pitkin County. pic.twitter.com/m1xu83AOQz
— White River National Forest (@WhiteRiverNews) June 22, 2021
The roughly 75 firefighters working the fire worked Tuesday to keep the fire within fire lines already established and to strengthen them. Crews are trying to keep the fire north of Red Table Ridge.
11:24 a.m. | Today is expected to be hot, dry and windy, so firefighters are anticipating another day of active fire behavior. The fire will produce a large amount of smoke again today as it burns through heavy timber.
Monday
5 p.m. | The U.S. Forest Service said the Sylvan Fire was 1,424 acres as of Monday afternoon and 75 personnel, along with two helicopters, were assigned to the fire. David Boyd, a spokesperson for the Forest Service, said firefighting were making progress on lines on the fire's eastern and western sides. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Boyd said lightning was suspected.
12:21 p.m. | The Sylvan Fire has grown to 400 acres from an estimated 180 acres Sunday evening.
11:55 a.m. | At least six members of West Metro Fire Rescue were heading Monday morning to Eagle County to assist in fire fighting efforts, bringing two brush trucks with them. The West Metro crew will add to the already 60 personnel fighting the blaze.
This morning, six West Metro firefighters and two Type 6 engines (brush trucks) are headed west to help out on the Sylvan Fire near Eagle, CO. #sylvanfire pic.twitter.com/J1a1dXSM5x
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) June 21, 2021
Oil Springs Fire
Lightning is being blamed for starting a wildfire in Rio Blanco County Friday. This blaze, called the Oil Springs Fire, is burning 20 miles south of Rangely and was at 0% containment Monday morning. It has grown to 7,183 acres.
The Oil Springs Fire is burning in a remote area, preventing trucks from getting to the blaze, officials said. However, no structures are threatened. The BLM is expecting the fire to burn numerous acres. Highway 139 was closed Sunday as the fire encroached. It jumped the highway overnight.
In addition to Highway 139, several other roads are closed, including the County Road 23 and County Road 113 intersection, and County Road 122 at mile marker 10.
Evacuations were ordered for County Road 116, County Road 27, County Road 28, County Road 120, County Road 26A, County Road 103, and County Road 128.
Latest on the Oil Springs Fire
Tuesday
5:33 p.m. | The Oil Springs Fire burning in Rio Blanco County northwest of Grand Junction was 7,395 acres and 0% contained as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Great Basin Incident Management Team 3 took over command of the fire Tuesday morning, and firefighting crews saw active fire behavior throughout the day, with a red flag warning in effect.
11:30 a.m. | The fire had significant growth today, having multiple spot fires and crossing Highway 139. Firefighters are still witnessing active fire behavior due to dry conditions, receptive fuels and wind. Multiple agencies have been called in to assist with structure protection through the night as winds are expected to continue with gusts up to 40 MPH.
Monday
7:17 p.m. | Firefighters saw active fire in the area due to dry conditions and fuels, and strong winds. One outbuilding has been lost in the blaze.
12:34 p.m. | CO 139 Douglas Pass is expected to remain CLOSED overnight tonight (Monday) due to the Oil Springs Fire. A potential alternate route is CO 13 to CO 64 or CO 13 to US 40.
12:07 p.m. | Red flag warning in effect for the Oil Springs Fire area until 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Muddy Slide Fire
A third fire reported Sunday, the Muddy Slide Fire, is burning in the area of Forest Service Roads 280 and 285 on Green Ridge in south Routt County. Several local, state, and federal resources are working at the scene, officials said.
Green Ridge and South Stagecoach are under pre-evacuation notice for this fire. County Road 16 between mile markers 12 and 21 is under voluntary evacuation. As of Monday evening, it was about 156 acres. By Tuesday evening, it was reportedly 1,025 acres. At least 50 personnel are fighting the fire and is expected to grow north and east.
Latest on the Muddy Slide Fire
Tuesday
9 p.m. | The Routt County Sheriff's Office has initiated a voluntary evacuation for residents living on County Road 16 between mile markers 12 and 21. The Hayden Fairgrounds is taking livestock and the Routt County Humane Society in Steamboat Springs will take pets if owners call (970) 879-1090 first. A shelter is set up at. the Soroco High School in Oak Creek.
5:35 p.m. | The Muddy Slide Fire was active in Routt County throughout the day Tuesday, putting off smoke across the area. Routt County Commissioners voted to move to Stage 2 fire restrictions effective 12 p.m. Wednesday.
Smoke from the #MuddySlideFire 20 miles south of Steamboat Springs is reaching Boulder county. Most will be aloft, but there will be some increase in surface smoke, mainly in Grand county and the Boulder county mountains. #cowx
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) June 22, 2021
📸https://t.co/NkSb09L0V2 Kremmling and Dakota Hill pic.twitter.com/DUzYwwJwY6
11:32 a.m. | Fire activity was minimal on Monday, held in check by aerial resources with retardant and water, as well as favorable weather.
Monday
12:13 p.m. | Pre evacuation notice remains in effect for the Muddy Slide fire in the Green Ridge / South Stagecoach area.
West Fire
In Moffat County, a fire was reported burning on Middle Mountain in the northwest corner of the county. The fire is on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and State Trust Lands, burning in heavy lodgepole pine timbers, officials said. The size of the blaze is estimated to be at 500 acres. Officials have named this blaze the West Fire.
The West Fire is spewing smoke that's visible across most of Moffat County and Craig. It's threatening e-grouse habitat and energy infrastructure, according to the BLM.
Latest on the West Fire
Tuesday
1 p.m. | The West Fire has increased in size to approximately 3,100 acres and has crossed the Colorado state line into southwest Wyoming. No structures are threatened.
Trail Canyon Fire
The 840-acre Trail Canyon Fire is burning on Ute Mountain Ute Tribal lands in Montezuma County, about 10 miles northwest of Red Mesa, Colorado. It was first reported Friday and believed to have been sparked by lightning. It was reported to be at 30% containment on Monday.
Approximately 65 firefighters have been assigned to the fire and they are being assisted by helicopters and fixed-wing air tankers, with additional resources expected Monday, according to Inciweb.
Latest on the Trail Canyon Fire
Check back soon for more updates.
Wild Cow Fire
The Lower Valley Fire District says the Wild Cow Fire is burning northwest of Fruita. The fire currently hasn't closed any roads, but there will be significant traffic impacts. The district and CSP Fruita is asking drivers to limit traveling on Highway 6 and Highway 50 between Fruita and Mack.
Latest on the Wild Cow Fire
Tuesday
7:20 a.m. | CSP said drivers headed toward the Country Jam should use I-70 as the primary route to allow first responders to work around this fire.
3 p.m. | The fire is about 248 acres with high fire activity, according to BLM Colorado Fire. Active suppression operations are underway.
11 a.m. | The fire has grown to about 90 acres with active fire behavior.
Other fires
On Saturday, BLM reported several fires along Interstate 70 amid multiple lightning strikes. The largest fire is the Smith Gulch Fire, an estimated 5-acre blaze burning northeast of De Beque and is visible from I-70. Officials reported multiple engines, crews, and aircraft are making good progress on the fires.
A lightning-sparked fire in Mount Falcon Park in Jefferson County flared up Sunday, growing a quarter acre since Saturday. A helicopter was attacking the blaze while the park remained closed. The park was able to reopen for a few hours Sunday before it was closed again after the fire flared up. On Tuesday morning, the park reopened. Officials are reminding visitors that fires are not allowed on Jefferson County Open Space land.
