East Canyon Fire Forces New Evacuations Monday Afternoon
MONTEZUMA COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) -- As of Monday evening, the East Canyon Fire has burned at least 2,700 acres in Montezuma County near Mancos. The fire has forced the evacuation of additional homes.
Areas north and south of Highway 160 from top of Mancos Hill to Target Tree Campground are under evacuation orders. Both sides of Highway 160 from Target Tree to Mile Marker 66 are under pre-evacuation orders. Highway 160 is closed from Hesperus to Mancos.
The fire is not contained. Officials say firefighters "engaged" with the fire when they could. Several spot fires along Highway 160 were extinguished.
No structures have been damaged or lost. Officials say the fire was sparked by lightning.
Fire officials implore residents to leave their drones at home. A temporary flight restriction covers a 10-mile radius.
"It is imperative that we don't have to stand down our air resources because a drone is jeopardizing their air space," said Connie Clementson, Field Office Manager for the Tres Rios Field Office. "We appreciate the public's assistance and patience during this effort."
The fire is burning on both private and Bureau of Land Management land in Montezuma and La Plata Counties.
The smoke has prompted a health warning - and we could see it here along the Front Range. A Red Flag Warning is in effect Monday and Tuesday.
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Firefighters are trying to keep the fire east of Road 46, south of Highway 160 and west of County Road 105.
About 60 firefighters are at the scene along with three helicopters, a Very Large Air Tanker (VLAT), two air tankers and two single-engine air tankers (SEATs).
