EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. — All mandatory evacuations have been lifted, but voluntary ones remain for a 10-acre wildfire burning near the town of Wolcott in Eagle County.
Multiple federal and county resources, including aircraft and a Hotshot crew, are responding to the blaze, which the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit said is “quickly advancing.” It has been named the Red Canyon Fire.
In an update just before 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit said resources will remain on scene through the night. The unit predicts the fire will be contained by 10 p.m. Wednesday, and firefighters will have "full control" of the blaze by 6 p.m. Thursday.
The wildfire forced the closure of both directions of Interstate 70 and prompted evacuations Wednesday. Eagle County initially issued mandatory evacuation orders for Red Canyon and Horn Ranch north of I-70 from approximately mile marker 151 to mile marker 154.
A map updated Wednesday evening shows pre-evacuation orders remain in place, but mandatory evacuations have been lifted. Click here to interact with the map.
It’s not clear how many people are impacted.
Drivers on I-70 were detoured onto Highway 6. The interstate was closed eastbound at exit 147 and westbound at exit 157. Shortly after 7 p.m., the eastbound lanes reopened.
As of 9:15 p.m., all of eastbound I-70 is open, as well as one westbound lane.
There have been no reports of injuries or structural loss at this time.
To sign up for Eagle County's emergency alert system, click here.
___
Internal safety memo retracted over The Citadel Mall Juneteenth event
A Juneteenth celebration that's expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors received some attention this week with a memo being sent out urging area military members to not attend.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.
