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DENVER (KDVR) As crews continue to battle wildfires across the state, more evacuations and pre-evacuations have been ordered due to several fires growing in size.
Multiple agencies in different jurisdictions around Colorado ordered a new round of evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday afternoon.
Rio Blanco County: Lee and Elk Fires
There are two large wildfires in Rio Blanco County that have burned more than 30,000 acres.
Evacuations have already been sent for certain areas in the county, and the Rio Blanco Sheriff’s Office continued with more evacuations and pre-evacuations on Wednesday.
Zone 40
Zone 40 is located southwest of Meeker and just east of Lion Canyon. The area contains a stretch of Highway 13.
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Rio Blanco County Zone 40 (map courtesy Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office)
Immediate evacuations are ordered for the area.
Zone 40 can be viewed on the Rio Blanco County website.
Zone 41
Zone 41 is a pre-evacuation order.
The sheriff’s office said to begin packing belongings, and if anyone is in need of more time, begin leaving already.
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Rio Blanco County Zone 41 (map courtesy Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office)
Zone 41 is just north of Zone 40 and covers a large portion of Meeker.
The sheriff’s office said that grass and irrigated fields are holding the fire well, but the potential for it to jump is why pre-evacuations are ordered.
Grand County
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said that pre-evacuations have been issued because the Windy Gap Fire has grown in size.
The office said to begin packing the essentials and pay close attention to its social media page or GCEmergency’s website.
Zone G41
Zone G41 covers a large south-to-north area located west of the Willow Creek Reservoir.
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Grand County Zone G41 (Map courtesy the Grand County Sheriff’s Office)
An evacuation map can be found on the Grand County Sheriff’s Office website.
Zone G48
Zone G48 is also on pre-evacuation orders.
The zone covers the area west of Granby.
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Grand County Zone G48 (Map courtesy the Grand County Sheriff’s Office)
Road closings in Grand County
- The Colorado Department of Transportation has closed Highway 40 in both directions between Drowsey Water and Colorado 125, located a few miles west of Granby.
- County Road 57 has been designated as the alternative route. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from driving on this route.
- Crews are on the scene of a small wildland fire near Windy Gap. A small portion of Highway 40 is reduced to one lane, and traffic will alternate heading in different directions.
Evacuations and pre-evacuations are subject to change, and this article will be updated as information about evacuations is shared.
