A wildfire on Colorado's Western Slope has triggered a cascade of evacuation orders, as the South Rim Fire continues to swell within the confines of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. In a bid to outpace the flames, residents from select areas within Montrose County have been urged to vacate their homes with alacrity.
According to KRDO, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has identified the evacuation areas, which encompass homes situated on roads M73, N73, N74, and O74. The national park has advised those affected to gather essential documents, medications, and pets before evacuating the region. The fire, as of the latest updates, had burgeoned to 2,865 acres. The firefighting efforts have primarily been concentrated on shielding critical infrastructure and residential areas from the advancing flames, with the growth of the blaze reported mostly on its south and east fronts.
A parallel announcement by the Montrose County Sheriff's Office, relayed by KDVR, reemphasized the urgency of the situation, stipulating that those who "do live on the listed roads leave the area immediately" and "do not wait." As of 5:45 p.m. on Saturday, the wildfire's dimensions had marginally increased to 2,892 acres; however, the containment of the fire remained at a stark 0%.
KJCT8 detailed further areas under the immediate evacuation, including all zones 1-6, as well as Bostwick Park residents and the K73 Trail, as of 6:23 pm on July 12. The local highway 347 and entry to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park have been sealed off indefinitely. Local officials have requested that residents refrain from calling 911 unless faced with a direct emergency, pointing to the BLM information line as a resource for updated information regarding the wildfire.
