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I-70 wildfire burning near Glenwood Springs in South Canyon now 90 percent contained

Joshua Carney
Post Independent
photo - fire in South Canyon

Editor’s note: Glenwood Springs South Canyon fire now 90 percent contained; both WB lanes expected to open.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, a wildfire ignited near mile marker 112, near exit 111. The fire spread quickly up the slope on the north side of I-70, putting Ami’s Acres Campground and Mitchell Creek on pre-evacuation notice, according to the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office. Both areas are east of the fire.

Responders from various agencies converged on the site, which forced a closure of both westbound lanes on I-70, as well as both eastbound lanes on I-70 for roughly an hour. Westbound lanes on I-70 remain closed as this time.

The closures were initiated to allow fire equipment and responders to access the area.

A helicopter was called in for aerial support and water bucket drops on the fire. The water is currently being taken from the Colorado River immediately adjoining I-70 in the area.

There is no current information on the size or cause of the fire.

A concerned Craig Amichaux, Ami’s Acres Campground owner, watched as the helicopter dipped into the Colorado River near the campground to dump water on the fire that sparked a little too close to home.

By 4:00 p.m., he said he was feeling a little bit better, but that they weren’t out of the woods yet.

Citizen Telegram editor Alex Zorn contributed to this report.


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