Wildfires trigger evacuations across Colorado

Wildfires in Colorado continue to consume acres and resources as hot,dry weather persists across the state.

Several evacuations were ordered due to dangerous activity at the lighting-caused Oil Spring Fire, 20 miles south of Rangely. Smoke is visible from Rangely, Meeker and all surrounding areas from the 7,395-acre blaze, according to White River Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management. 

Activity on the Sylvan Fire in Eagle County increased dramatically late Tuesday afternoon, according to a National Forest Service news release. Strong west winds pushed the fire east, where it reached Sylvan Lake and crossed West Brush Creek Road. 

The growth triggered changes in evacuation and pre-evacuation levels in areas of Eagle County. As of Tuesday evening, the fire had reached 3,359 acres with no containment.

The West Fire in northwest Moffat County had increased to 3,100 acres by Tuesday afternoon and had crossed the Colorado state line into southwest Wyoming, according to InciWeb. The fire continues to burn in heavy lodgepole pine; no structures are threatened.

The Muddy Slide Fire, located 18 miles west of Kremmling, has burned 1,025 acres with no containment, according to the National Forest Service. The Routt County Sheriff’s office upgraded the voluntary evacuation to a mandatory evacuation last night for residents on County Road 16 between mile marker 12 and mile marker 21.