GRAND COUNTY, Colo. — The Grand County Sheriff's Office issued a new evacuation, but reduced another on the East Troublesome Fire that's grown to 15,546 acres as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Grand County Sheriff's Office issued a mandatory evacuation for the Drowsy Water area around 12:30 p.m., but reduced Big Horn Park to pre-evacuation. All public lands north of Hot Sulphur Springs to Willow Creek Pass and east to US. Highway 34 are closed. You can see an up-to-date evacuation map here.
Fire officials said the fire is now 10% contained, but it's sunny, warm and dry with 15-20 mph winds and gusts up to 30 mph in the area, which is considered near red flag conditions for fire crews.
Around 3 p.m., the Grand County Sheriff's Office said the south side of the fire was active and visible from Hot Sulphur Springs. Multiple aircraft are working to make retardant drops.
Fire officials said the plan for Tuesday was to have air resources continue water and retardant drops on active areas of the fire, particularly on the north and southeast part of the fire. Helicopters will continue bucket work on the eastern portion of the active fire front near Kinney Creek, Sawmill Creek and Colorado Highway 125 corridor protecting values at risk.
Ground crews will continue work to tie lines together on the north side of the fire and work on containment of spot fires in the southeast portion as well as structure protection efforts.
At this time, there are no power shutoffs, but it may become necessary depending on the fire's movement towards the Colorado Highway 125 corridor.
Colorado Department of Transportation has Colorado Highway 125 closed north of Granby from milepost 5 to 27.
The fire was first reported north of Hot Sulphur Springs on Oct. 14. The estimated date of full containment is Nov. 10.
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