The most recent update from Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office:
MEEKER | A wildfire near Greasewood Gulch approximately 24 miles west of Meeker was reported just hours after the National Weather Service issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for critical fire conditions.
Despite a very snowy winter and wet spring, officials are reminding citizens fire danger remains high.
The Hazardous Weather Outlook states, “Critical fire weather conditions are expected Friday across portions of northwest Colorado as dry and windy conditions develop during the afternoon and evening hours. Isolated showers and thunderstorms will develop each afternoon and evening beginning Saturday and continuing through early next week. Lightning and gusty winds will be the main threats with storms.” The warning is in effect through Wednesday, July 24.
A report from the Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office around 7 p.m. stated the wildland fire near Greasewood Gulch was approximately 20 acres burning in pinyon and juniper, with no structures threatened. As of that time, Meeker Fire & Rescue and BLM were on scene.
Last year’s fire season was one of the worst on record for Northwest Colorado, with more than 200 fires burning 169 square miles in Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, Jackson and Grand counties, according to a report from the Associated Press.
RBC Sheriff urges extreme caution throughout the weekend.
