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Boone Draw Fire burns beyond 8,500 acres near Craig

Posted at 7:13 AM, Sep 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-17 09:13:04-04

CRAIG, Colo. — The Boone Draw Fire exploded in size to more than 8,000 acres over the weekend, and despite poor weather conditions, fire officials have reported that it's about 40 percent contained.

The Boone Draw Fire ignited on Bureau of Land Management land on Thursday and grew to about 8,683 acres on Sunday. While no structures are threatened by the Boone Draw Fire, it continued to burn on BLM and private land about 50 miles west of Craig through the weekend into Monday.

Fire officials said the fire was less active on Saturday, and even with hot, dry and windy weather, firefighters raised the containment level to 40 percent. Authorities said it is burning in pinyon-juniper, grass, and sage in the southwestern portion of the Sand Wash Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area, north of Highway 318. 

County Road 67 is closed to all traffic. Moffat County has shut down all roads within the BLM closure area. Highway 318 is open, but could be impacted by temporary lane closures.

Visitors who want to see wild horses can access the Herd Management Area by way of County Road 72, along the Seven Mile Ridge area north of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.