mtnfireguy
06-09-2002, 01:05 AM
DENVER -- A fast-moving wildfire in western Colorado ignited several structures, forced the evacuation of 4,000 people in west Glenwood Springs and closed Interstate 70 between Gypsum and New Castle
The blaze has been dubbed the "Coal Seam" fire because early indications are that the fire was started by an underground coal seam that has been burning for years.
So far the blaze has consumed 2,000 acres and is still growing, according to Garfield County officials.
No injuries have been reported but five homes and one building has been destroyed.
The fire started at 1 p.m. near South Canyon Road, south of I-70, in Glenwood Springs, which is 125 miles west of Denver. At about 7:30 p.m., the fire jumped the interstate.
The smoke was so thick that some drivers had their headlights on in the middle of the hot afternoon.
Strong, hot winds quickly fanned the blaze across at least 50 acres and kept firefighting aircraft grounded.
A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Colorado Mountain College Spring Creek.
More evacuations were under way, Garfield County sheriff's spokesman Ron Vanmeter said.
"The fire has got control of us at this time," Garfield County Sheriff Tom Dalessandri said earlier in the day.
A Type I firefighting team has been called in to take command of the fire.
"It sounds like the fire is right up against the interstate," Colorado State Patrol Capt. Jim Wolfinbarger said.
The fire is in the location of the 1994 Storm King fire, which killed 14 firefighters.
The blaze has been dubbed the "Coal Seam" fire because early indications are that the fire was started by an underground coal seam that has been burning for years.
So far the blaze has consumed 2,000 acres and is still growing, according to Garfield County officials.
No injuries have been reported but five homes and one building has been destroyed.
The fire started at 1 p.m. near South Canyon Road, south of I-70, in Glenwood Springs, which is 125 miles west of Denver. At about 7:30 p.m., the fire jumped the interstate.
The smoke was so thick that some drivers had their headlights on in the middle of the hot afternoon.
Strong, hot winds quickly fanned the blaze across at least 50 acres and kept firefighting aircraft grounded.
A Red Cross shelter has been set up at Colorado Mountain College Spring Creek.
More evacuations were under way, Garfield County sheriff's spokesman Ron Vanmeter said.
"The fire has got control of us at this time," Garfield County Sheriff Tom Dalessandri said earlier in the day.
A Type I firefighting team has been called in to take command of the fire.
"It sounds like the fire is right up against the interstate," Colorado State Patrol Capt. Jim Wolfinbarger said.
The fire is in the location of the 1994 Storm King fire, which killed 14 firefighters.