Campground Evacuated, Fire Burns Near Dinosaur National Monument

ELK SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- The so-called Winter Valley Fire has forced people camping near Dinosaur National Monument to evacuate the campground.

The fire burning south of Elk Springs has burned more than 3,500 acres in its first day. Strong wind gusts of up to 50 mph are hampering firefighting efforts to bring the wildfire under control.

Courtney Whiteman, a Bureau of Land Management spokesperson, confirmed at 8:30 p.m. Thursday that the Winter Valley Fire was threatening 25 to 30 residences, a number of oil/gas structures, and communications towers.

Firefighters warned residents of potential power outages should they have to cut power lines.

The Bureau of Land Management is putting together a Type 3 unit to take command of the fire.

What caused the fire is being investigated.

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