Craig Daily Press / Wildfire season hanging on in western Colorado

Archive for Thursday, October 4, 2012

October 4, 2012

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RIFLE, Colo. (AP) — Wildfire season is hanging on in western Colorado.

A 991-acre wildfire north of Rifle was 5 percent contained Thursday. It started Wednesday along a highway. Strong winds pushed it into the forest on the west side of the Grand Hogback. The terrain is rugged and steep so crews are mainly attacking it from the air.

The fire is not immediately threatening any homes, but there are some scattered homes on the east side of the Hogback.

Colorado River Fire Rescue Chief Mike Morgan believes it was likely human caused.

To the east, the 257-acre Middle Elk Fire is smoldering in the Flat Tops. Crews can't access the interior so it won't be completely out until there's heavy rain or snow. It was started Sept. 20 by an unattended campfire.