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Colorado Wildfires: Gould Fire Burns 28 Acres Near Rico, Now 30 Percent Contained

DENVER (CBS4) - The USDA Forest Service in the San Juan National Forest is keeping a close eye on a wildfire burning in the vicinity of Taylor Mesa. They say it was sparked by lightning on Sunday and has burned 28 acres. Smoke is visible to those traveling along Highway 145 between Dolores and Rico.

Gould Fire 2
The Gould Fire burning in the vicinity of Taylor Mesa in Southwest Colorado. (credit: USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest)

Several ground crews are working in very rugged terrain to build a line around the fire, including the Craig Hotshots and the San Juan Hotshots. Crews were also working from the air utilizing two single engine airtankers and a helicopter. As of Tuesday morning the fire was 30 percent contained.

Gould Fire 1
The Gould Fire burning in the vicinity of Taylor Mesa in Southwest Colorado. (credit: USDA Forest Service - San Juan National Forest)

Southwest Colorado remains in extreme to exceptional drought with elevated to high fire danger. While they have had scattered showers and thunderstorms in recent days it has been nothing like the widespread rainfall along the Front Range and on the eastern plains, where drought has been eliminated from many areas.

Drought Monitor
(source: CBS)
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