Paradise Creek fire near South Canyon reestimated at 8 to 10 acres, I-70 remains closed

Update, 5:20 p.m.: The Paradise Creek fire burning near South Canyon has been reestimated at 8 to 10 acres, according to Glenwood Springs Fire Department Public Information Officer Mina Bolton.

Bolton said better visibility of the fire allowed crews to revise the size estimate down from the previously reported 20 acres. Approximately 40 firefighters are working in “super steep and rocky” terrain, with several mutual aid resources assisting.

A Type 1 helicopter was conducting water drops as of about 5:10 p.m., Bolton said. Two helicopters and two fixed-wing aircrafts had been heading to the fire earlier, though the fixed-wing aircrafts were called off due to wind conditions.

The fire response comes during a Red Flag Warning, with hot, dry and windy conditions increasing fire danger. Bolton said the fire was reported during the heat of the day and under windy conditions, which contributed to the scale of the response.

Bolton said she did not have a containment number as of 5:10 p.m. and had not heard conversations about evacuations.

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“Anything’s possible,” Bolton said, “but I haven’t heard those conversations.”

Fire crews are monitoring weather conditions closely, Bolton said.

“There’s a few ridgelines before the Glenwood area, so they’re keeping an eye and monitoring weather closely,” Bolton said. “We are very grateful to have the resources available to support us at this time.”

Interstate 70 remained closed in both directions near mile marker 112. Colorado Department of Transportation Northeast Communications Manager Austyn Dineen said CDOT has not put a formal extended detour in place because detour options are limited in that area, and officials were still working to get traffic moving again.

Dineen said there was a point when cars in the queue were turned around to clear the area, but the closure remained in place as of about 5:10 p.m. Glenwood Springs Fire Department is the lead agency on the fire.

Update, 4:10 p.m.: The Paradise Creek fire burning near South Canyon is reported at about 20 acres, according to Glenwood Springs Fire Department Public Information Officer Mina Bolton.

Bolton said firefighters are working in steep terrain with difficult access, with Interstate 70 serving as the primary access point. Multiple mutual aid resources are responding, and the department’s resource needs were being met as of about 3:45 p.m., she said.

Two helicopters are currently en route to the fire, including a Type 1 helicopter from Durango and a nearby Type 3 helicopter, Bolton said. The helicopters have been approved to dip water from the Colorado River, and I-70 is expected to remain closed while bucket drops continue.

Colorado River Fire Rescue is assisting Glenwood Springs Fire Department with a Type 6 engine and about three tenders, according to Colorado River Fire Protection District Division Chief of Fire Prevention Orrin Moon.

Moon said the fire is burning uphill from the interstate, making access and suppression more difficult.

“It’s not an easy place to have a fire,” Moon said. “It’s all uphill and very manpower and aircraft intensive.”

The cause of the fire is not yet known. Moon said Glenwood Springs Fire Marshal Robin Pitt is on scene assisting, but a cause has not yet been determined.

Update, 3:25 p.m.: A fire in South Canyon near Glenwood Springs, dubbed the Paradise Creek Fire, is estimated at 15 to 20 acres in grass and brush, with high spread potential, and is currently making a run uphill, according to incident command. Aerial resources have been requested.

Update, 3:15 p.m.: Interstate 70 is closed at mile marker 112 near South Canyon in both directions. Colorado River Fire Rescue is on scene working with local firefighters.

Original, 3:05 p.m.: Westbound Interstate 70 is closed at mile marker 112 near South Canyon due to a fire, according to a Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority alert.

The Post Independent will continue to update this story.