Watch CBS News

Western Slope Wildfire Closes I-70 3 Different Times

FRUITA, Colo. (CBS4) - A wildfire that shut down a stretch of Interstate 70 in western Colorado three different times over the past 24 hours continues give firefighters headaches.

Skipper Island Fire 1(Mesa County SO) copy
Skipper Island Fire (credit: Mesa County)

The Skipper Island Fire near Fruita started Wednesday night on an island in the Colorado River and spread Thursday after winds picked up. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office says a campfire is believed to have started the fire.

Even though the fire fully contained on Friday evening, I-70 was closed again for Xcel Energy crews to work on damaged power lines. There is no estimate on when the interstate will reopen.

Skipper Island Fire 3 (Mesa County SO's FB) copy
Skipper Island Fire (credit: Mesa County)

Meanwhile, a southern Colorado wildfire that burned nearly two dozen homes and scorched about 16,600 acres has been stopped. The 117 Fire, which started near Interstate 25 between Colorado Springs and Pueblo on Tuesday, was contained Thursday evening.

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

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

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.