I-70 west of Rifle open after brush fire
A brush fire scorched more than 30 acres and closed the westbound lanes of Interstate 70 between Rifle and Rulison for several hours Wednesday.
The cause of the fire, which was first reported around 3:40 p.m., was not disclosed Wednesday evening, but Maria Piña, public information officer for Colorado River Fire Rescue, said the cause was not suspicious in nature.
A slew of fire protection and law enforcement agencies responded to the call.
The Colorado Department of Transportation tweeted that one lane of westbound traffic reopened around 5:40 p.m. Both lanes were open by 8 p.m.
Heat and high winds had led the National Weather Service in Grand Junction to issue a “red-flag warning” — the highest alert for fire danger — for Wednesday and Thursday.
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Glenwood Springs and Garfield County make the Post Independent’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.