Firefighters battle multiple brush fires in West Rifle Monday afternoon
CRFR/Courtesy
Firefighters with the Colorado River Fire Rescue district battled multiple brush fires that started near U.S. Highway 6 in West Rifle on Monday afternoon.
The fires temporarily closed down a section of Highway 6 but, shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, Garfield County reported that it is now reopened.
CRFR Chief Leif Sackett told the Post Independent on Monday afternoon that the district was called to multiple spot fires — one of which was about two acres in size — shortly after 2:20 p.m.
“We have it mostly knocked down,” he said.
No one was injured from the fires, nor are they threatening any nearby buildings. Sackett said the cause of the fires is unknown but currently being investigated.
“It’s windy out and we need to be careful with everything that we do,” he said.
Sackett also warns residents about potential hazards of starting permitted fires this time of year.
“I know a lot of people are out in fields and ditches to do fires. Do it early in the morning before wind picks up in the afternoon,” he said. “There’s more humidity with the burn and easier to control when the winds come up.”
CRFR sent multiple apparatus to battle the fires. The Grand River Fire Protection District, Rifle Police Department and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office also assisted.
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.