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Crews Continue to Fight Wildfire in Garfield County

by KREX News Room
by Danielle Kreutter

Story Created: Oct 3, 2012 at 7:41 PM MDT

Story Updated: Oct 4, 2012 at 11:12 PM MDT

GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo.- The Highway 13 wildfire had grown to 500 acres as of Wednesday night; fire officials say this happened because of very strong winds they noticed during the day.

The blaze was first reported around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

The Colorado Department of Transportation had closed a section of the highway from mile markers 4 to 17 for more than two hours.

The road has since reopened.

More than 75 firefighters have responded to the scene and officials say more are expected to help on Thursday.

The Bureau of Land Management and the Rifle Fire Protection District responded to the fire with the use of two single engine air tankers, one fire attack plane and heavy helicopter use.

There are structures in the general area, but there is no immediate threat and no evacuations in place. No structures have been lost.

One resident said he is thankful crews stopped the flames from getting too close to his property.

"They had them helicopters work out on them and that kind of knocked the snot out of that fire, and as long as we have them young, rugged kids around here, they control these fires ... God bless each and every one of those kids up there," said Mike Bishop, who has lived on his ranch for the last 29 years.

Officials say the sun going down and humidity going up Wednesday night really helped them battle the blaze during the evening hours.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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