Homes Evacuated by Growing Wildfire in Western Colorado

Several residents near a western Colorado wildfire were ordered to evacuate as the blaze continues to expand.

The fire about 18 miles north of Grand Junction was started more than a week ago by lightning in remote and rough terrain in Mesa and Garfield counties. It is 7% contained.

The Pine Gulch fire, burning in remote, rough terrain north of Grand Junction, had grown to more than 45 square miles as of Monday, fire officials reported.

Some residents in Garfield County were told to leave their homes Sunday as the fire spread to the north and more were told to leave Monday as it continued to spread. Fire officials say hot, dry and windy weather is fueling the blaze.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Homeowners