Evacuation orders are in effect for residents and businesses in parts of Gateway, Colorado, as wildfires continue to ravage the area. On Saturday, the Mesa County Sheriff's office directed evacuations for the stretch between Mile Markers 120-124 along Highway 141, urging those affected to head to the Clifton Community Campus located at 3270 D 1/2 Rd., Clifton, CO, for shelter. According to KDVR, the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fires had reached 525 acres and 160 acres, respectively, as of Saturday afternoon.
Amid the blaze's rapid advancement, the Mesa County Sheriff's office communicated that anyone with "large animals" seeking assistance for shelter should call 970-788-0162, as reported by KJCT8. Meanwhile, firefighting efforts have been compromised by the difficult terrain, which is making the containment of these fires particularly challenging.
Adding to the urgency, the South Rim fire in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park saw significant growth, leading to immediate evacuations in Montrose County. "Do not wait," park officials warned in a Facebook post, as noted by the Denver Post. Those residing on roads M73, N73, N74, and O74 were directed to evacuate with important documents and pets. The fire, ignited by lightning, is now threatening not just homes, but key infrastructure, including dam facilities.
To be severely hampered by the steep, rugged conditions, firefighters are concentrating on protecting critical structures. The Black Canyon wildfire, which erupted from a lightning strike originally, had ballooned to nearly 3,000 acres with no containment efforts holding, causing further evacuations in areas like Botswick Park. As the upper Colorado River Interagency Fire officials told the Denver Post, the current situation is one where securing the fire line dominates their efforts to minimize the spread.
