News
Wildland fire along Highway 50 may have been sparked by mower
Posted: Jun 21, 2012 12:44 PM by Kirsten Bennett
Updated: Jun 21, 2012 12:51 PM
CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) - A small wildfire in southern Colorado is keeping rafters off a stretch of the Arkansas River.
The river is closed to rafting from Texas Creek to Parkdale though Thursday afternoon. U.S. Highway 50, which winds along the river through a canyon, is also closed through 1 p.m.
The Bureau of Land Management says the fire west of Canon City may have been sparked by a highway mower Wednesday. It has burned 6 acres of BLM land next to the highway.
The artist Christo wants to hang fabric panels over the river in the area and opponents are pointing to the fire as a reason to reject the work. They say a 15-ton drilling rig and other heavy equipment needed for the project would make it difficult for residents to evacuate in an emergency.
Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Belgarde-Simpson
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