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Red Canyon Fire In Garfield County Forces Evacuations

Red Canyon Fire
Red Canyon Fire (credit: Doug Self)

CARBONDALE, Colo. (CBS4) - A wildfire in Garfield County has prompted evacuations.

The Red Canyon Fire broke out on Monday and it has burned 350 acres. So far there is 10 containment, but witnesses told CBS4 there was less smoke coming from the area on Tuesday morning. It is burning about 10 miles southeast of Glenwood Springs and 8 miles north of Carbondale. It made a run to the north and east Tuesday. That prompted evacuations east of the fire and north to Interstate 70.

About 20 structures are threatened by the fire. The good news is the fire is burning away from Glenwood Springs.

"We've had a lot of rain lately, especially this season, but things are still really dry, so from that stand point whatever's burning up there is burning quickly and that was evident yesterday," an evacuee told CBS4.

RED CANYON FIRE MAP
(credit: CBS)

About 60 firefighters were battling the fire along with a heavy air tanker, three single engine air tankers (SEATs) and six smoke jumpers.

No structures are threatened but people in the Crystal Lakes subdivision have been told they might have to clear out.

County officials set up a shelter for large animals that might need to be moved or evacuated at the Garfield County Fairgrounds in Rifle.

The area has received significant moisture in recent weeks.

Officials with the U.S. Forest Service listed the fire danger as low to moderate across Colorado on Tuesday.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Wildfire Resources section.

- Read recent Wildfire stories.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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