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Grizzly Creek Fire

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Coordinates: 39°34′19″N 107°15′58″W / 39.572°N 107.266°W / 39.572; -107.266
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Grizzly Creek Fire
Grizzly Creek Fire on August 23, 2020
Date(s)August 10, 2020 – December 18, 2020
LocationGlenwood Canyon, Glenwood Springs, Colorado, United States
Coordinates39°34′19″N 107°15′58″W / 39.572°N 107.266°W / 39.572; -107.266
Statistics[1]
Burned areaI-70 Glenwood 32,631 acres (13,205 ha)
Ignition
CauseTruck chains
Map
Grizzly Creek Fire is located in Colorado
Grizzly Creek Fire
Location in Colorado

The Grizzly Creek Fire (also called the 120 Fire)[2] was a wildfire that burned 32,631 acres (13,205 ha) in Glenwood Canyon in the state of Colorado in the United States. The fire first ignited on August 10, 2020 and was declared 100% contained on December 18, 2020. The Grizzly Creek fire's proximity to Interstate 70 resulted in a 13-day closure of the interstate. It threatened the Shoshone Generating Station and resulted in the evacuation of residences in the area, as well as closure of recreational land in portions of White River National Forest. The fire was ruled to be human-caused.

Events

The Grizzly Creek Fire burning near the Shoshone Hydroelectric Generating Station.

August

The Grizzly Creek Fire, which was first called the 120 Fire,[2] was first reported around 1:30 PM on August 10, burning in Glenwood Canyon one mile east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.[1] Fueled by hot, dry, windy weather, the fire began spreading in multiple directions.[3] Witnesses to the fire at its start included people rafting through the canyon and a Colorado Department of Transportation employee who tried to put it out with a fire extinguisher.[4] Its growth towards Interstate 70 resulted in the interstate's closure from Glenwood Springs to Gypsum. By August 12, the fire had crossed both the interstate and the Colorado River.[5] The power plant at the Shoshone Generating Station was evacuated, along with the communities of No Name, Lookout Mountain, and Coulter Creek.[3] The Glenwood Springs Community Center was named an evacuation point to connect evacuees with services and Battle Mountain High School was named an evacuation center.[6][7] Local roads in the area were also closed, as well as portions of Bureau of Land Management-managed land and portions of White River National Forest.[3][8] Air support was immediately brought in due to the fire's hard-to-reach location in the canyon.[3]

The fire grew rapidly with Red Flag winds and by the morning of August 13 it spread east towards Bair Ranch and southeast into Devil's Hole Canyon and doubled in size from 6,251 acres (2,530 ha) to 13,441 acres (5,439 ha). It was one percent contained. Highway 82 was closed at Independence Pass due to excessive traffic and accidents resulting from drivers using rural, rugged dirt roads as alternatives to Interstate 70, which remained closed.[9][10] The next day, on August 14, the Bureau of Land Management closed recreational sites and boat ramps around the southern part of the Colorado River near Dotsero.[11] The fire spotted across Coffee Pot Rd. on August 15, with crews catching the spot fire before it could spread. The fire did continue towards Bair Ranch, with dozer lines being put in place to protect the core of the ranch.[12] Air quality health advisories were put in place for areas east of the fire.[7]

Due to the fire's location near infrastructure, residences and its potential impact on the environment, Burned Area Emergency Response teams arrived early on the scene, on August 19. That same day, it was reported that the Shoshone Hydroelectric Power Plant's service was interrupted by downed transmission lines.[13]

On August 20, evacuation orders were downgraded for residents in the Buck Point area.[14] The next day, containment was achieved from Coffee Pot Road to I-70.[15] That same day, it was announced that Dan Gibbs, the head of Colorado's Department of Natural Resources and a wildland firefighter was fighting the fire near Glenwood Springs.[16]

I-70 was reopened the morning of August 24.[17] Later that day, a flare up along the interstate resulted in a second, temporary closure while helicopters quelled the flare up with water drops.[18] By August 26, the fire was 61 percent contained at 32,060 acres (12,974 ha).[19]

Containment continued to grow and suppression work began in impacted areas, including on Coffee Pot Rd.[20] On the afternoon of August 30, a storm generated wind gusts of 40 MPH, resulting in crews being pulled from fire lines.[21] The fire was determined to be human caused, with further investigation required to determine specificities.[1]

Impact

The Grizzly Creek Fire has impacted infrastructure, transportation and recreational activities in the area, including in White River National Forest.

Closures and evacuations

The Grizzly Creek Fire burning along Interstate 70 on August 11, 2020.

The Grizzly Creek Fire caused a section of I-70 between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum in Glenwood Canyon to be closed on August 10, 2020. It was reopened by CDOT the morning of August 24, 2020.[22] Local roads were also closed in the area, including Highway 82 which passes over Independence Pass.[3][9]

The communities of No Name, Lookout Mountain and Coulter Creek were evacuated and the Glenwood Springs Community Center served as an evacuation point.[6] Portions of White River National Forest were also closed, including Glenwood Canyon.[3][8]

A Union Pacific Railroad passenger and freight line was closed in the area after debris falling caused a rock pile to form on the tracks.[23] Train travel resumed by August 22.[24]

Nearly a year later, the I-70 in Glenwood Canyon was closed again, due to debris flows from the fire damage.[25]

Economic

The closures and evacuations resulted in cancelations on hotel and resort rooms by visitors in Glenwood Springs, exacerbating economic challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] Due to the closure of Interstate 70 and other roads, local businesses were unable to keep groceries, pet food and other items in stock, resulting in empty shelves. There were also fuel shortages in the area.[26]

Infrastructure

The Shoshone hydroelectric power plant lost transmission lines, resulting in a service interruption.[13]

Environmental

The Colorado River's clarity was impacted with sediment from burned areas being carried into the river from rain. It will take an estimated five to seven years for the river's clarity to return to normal. The increased sediment will impact fishing, rafting and will increase rock slides. The river will begin to dilute where it meets the Roaring Fork River and sediment is expected to be found in Lake Powell.[13]

Investigation

On August 31, the US Forest Service confirmed that the fire was human-caused and that further investigation was required to determine the specific cause.[1]

  • Fire growing on the slopes south of the Colorado River on August 12
    Fire growing on the slopes south of the Colorado River on August 12
  • Tanker dropping fire retardant on August 13
    Tanker dropping fire retardant on August 13
  • Fire burning along the Colorado River on August 14
    Fire burning along the Colorado River on August 14
  • Hand crews clearing brush to protect structures near Glenwood Springs
    Hand crews clearing brush to protect structures near Glenwood Springs
  • Rock fall on Interstate 70
    Rock fall on Interstate 70
  • Portable water tanks
    Portable water tanks
  • Signs of gratitude for firefighters in Eagle, Colorado.
    Signs of gratitude for firefighters in Eagle, Colorado.
  • Grizzly Creek Fire burning in Glenwood Canyon on August 23
    Grizzly Creek Fire burning in Glenwood Canyon on August 23
  • The fire burning next to Interstate 70 on August 23
    The fire burning next to Interstate 70 on August 23
  • Rainbow over the fire on August 30
    Rainbow over the fire on August 30

See also

References

Sources

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Government

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d "Grizzly Creek Fire Information". InciWeb. August 31, 2020. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Grizzly Creek Fire Closes I-70, Grows To 1,300 Acres Near Glenwood Springs". KCNC-TV. August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Winds and terrain challenge Grizzly Creek Fire efforts". InciWeb. August 11, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Sanchez, Hayley (August 12, 2020). "Grizzly Creek Fire On I-70 In Glenwood Canyon Forces Residents To Evacuate". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  5. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire grows, additional resources arriving". InciWeb. August 12, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Osberger, Madeleine (August 10, 2020). "Grizzly Creek Fire grows to 3,200 acres with no containment". Aspen Daily News. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Colorado Wildfire Weekend Updates For Aug. 15-16: Evacuations, Closures, Size". Colorado Public Radio. August 15, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Grizzly Creek Fire Area Closure". InciWeb. August 11, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. ^ a b c Allen, Taylor; Sakas, Michael Elizabeth (August 13, 2020). "Glenwood Springs Businesses Hunker Down As Grizzly Creek Fire Grows Rapidly". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  10. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire August 14, 2020 Update". InciWeb. August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  11. ^ "New BLM Closures on the Colorado River in Eagle County". InciWeb. August 14, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  12. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire August 16, 2020". InciWeb. August 16, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  13. ^ a b c Blevins, Jason; Brown, Jennifer (August 19, 2020). "The Grizzly Creek fire is threatening the Colorado River and water for the entire West". The Colorado Sun. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  14. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.20.20". InciWeb. August 20, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  15. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.22.20". InciWeb. August 22, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  16. ^ "Colorado Wildfire Updates For Aug. 20: Maps, Evacuations, Closures, Fire Growth And More". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  17. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Daily Update 8.24.20". InciWeb. August 24, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  18. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.25.20". InciWeb. August 25, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  19. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.26.20". InciWeb. August 26, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.28.20". InciWeb. August 28, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  21. ^ "Grizzly Creek Fire Update 8.31.20". InciWeb. August 31, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  22. ^ "I-70 closed in western Colorado because of new wildfire". Durango Herald. Associated Press. August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  23. ^ Stroud, John (August 16, 2020). "Grizzly Creek Fire at 25,690 acres, 0% containment; crews work to limit fire's eastward spread". Post Independent. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  24. ^ LaConte, John (August 22, 2020). "Grizzly Creek Fire crews turning over management, expecting more containment soon". Post Independent. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  25. ^ "Canyon Closure Impacts Lake County". Leadville Today. July 30, 2021. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. This stretch of interstate continues to experience severe impacts from debris flows along burn scars from the Grizzly Creek fire.
  26. ^ Minor, Nathaniel (August 14, 2020). "It's Still Unclear When I-70, Closed By The Grizzly Creek Fire, Will Reopen. That's Wreaking Havoc On Businesses". Colorado Public Radio. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
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