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Grizzly Creek Fire still an estimated 25,007 acres, as hot and dry conditions continue

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Posted at 10:39 AM, Aug 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-18 12:38:24-04

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — The Grizzly Creek Fire along Interstate 70 in Glenwood Canyon was still an estimated 25,007 acres on Monday evening, though the fire was remained 0% contained and hot and dry conditions — with the possibility of dry thunderstorms, bringing wind and lightning — were a concern for crews heading into the week.

Crews on Monday will continue working to protect structures in No Name, Bair Ranch, High Aspen and Spring Valley. Crews on the east side of the fire will work to complete an indirect fire line construction from I-70 to Coffee Pot Road.

Crews are still having a difficult time directly attacking the fire due to the steep, rugged terrain through the area.

As of Monday, 647 crew members were working fire and 17 helicopters were being deployed at the scene. The fire has shut down I-70 from Glenwood Springs to Gypsum for the last week.

The workaround for most drivers is U.S. 50 east to U.S. 285 for those coming east from Grand Junction, and CO 9 to U.S. 285 south to U.S. 50 for westbound drivers, or CO 91 to U.S. 24 to U.S. 50 westbound.

The Bureau of Land Management has closed recreational sites and boat ramps on the southern side of the Colorado River near Dotsero, including the Cottonwood Landing ramp, Lyons campground and ramp, and the Dotsero ramp.

The supervisor of the White River National Forest said Friday evening that the initial aerial assessment done earlier in the day showed that much of Hanging Lake was not severely burned Thursday when the Grizzly Creek Fire moved through, though the area above the lake burned “intensely.”

Forest Service Road 400 is also closed after drivers mistook it as an optional other route and got stuck or crashed.

Cottonwood Pass Road remains closed, as do Coffee Pot Road, Transfer Trail and Clinetop Mesa roads.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in place. The cause of the fire, which started on the afternoon of Aug. 10, remains under investigation.