All Images: Courtesy of Montrose County Sheriff’s Office
One of Colorado’s most unique National Parks, the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is currently under evacuation as wildfires have rapidly spread in the area. As of 2 PM on Thursday, July 10, the park has officially closed due to two large wildfires, with the Hotchkiss Fire District citing up to 12 fires in the area.
The Montrose County Sheriff’s Office estimates that the 300-acre+ South Rim fire started yesterday, June 9, during a “dry lightning storm.” As the name implies, the blaze is currently sitting on the Black Canyon of the Gunnison’s South Rim.
The Sheriff’s Office did provide information on the other 12 active burns in the area, but notes that they were utilizing ample local, state and federal resources to combat them.
The national park sits right outside of Montrose, Colorado, just an hour and a half drive from Telluride and slightly farther from Silverton. The fire currently poses no threat to either of the ski destinations, but if it spreads, it will certainly have a large impact on the local economy, which thrives on tourism.
In their monthly report, the National Interagency Fire Center estimated that southwest Colorado could expect an average (not abnormally high) fire risk this July thanks to moisture and cold weather this spring. This has been accurate thus far. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison fire will pose a challenge to crews thanks to the arid environment and 90°F temperatures projected for the next few days.
Luckily, the wind is projected to be mild in Montrose County over the coming days. Frontline Wildfire Defense is currently mapping the South Rim fire at 425 acres, with that number expected to increase before control is gained.
Please stay safe and follow the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office for live updates
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