16-07-2025
High winds, low rain chances expected near Turner Gulch as fire grows nearly 14K acres
MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – The Turner Gulch wildfire continues to wreak havoc on the Western Slope, as Wednesday's update had the blaze near 14,000 acres.
This isn't the only fire near Gateway, as nearby Wright Draw was mapped at 448 acres.
Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 (RM CIMT 1) stated that the blazes are burning on each side of Unaweep Canyon. Firefighters have been working to protect values near the fire, but the continued hot and dry weather remains a challenge.
'There will be a gradual uptick in relative humidity as the week progresses, but warmer and drier air is expected to remain in place,' RM CIMT 1 stated.
Crews have been aided by heavy air support dropping water and retardant to slow down the fire.
Going into Wednesday, firefighters will continue to assess the Wright Draw fire on Piñon Mesa and look at options for building containment lines to protect values on the mesa, according to RM CIMT 1. However, because of the steep area where the fire is located, crews will look at lower terrain where they could safely manage the fire perimeter.
For the Turner Gulch blaze, line construction is completed along the west and northwest flank along Highway 141, according to RM CIMT 1. Crews will mop up and see if there is any remaining heat that could threaten the line.
Toward the east, structure assessments and preparation will continue as firefighters expect additional fire spread. Crews along the south perimeter of the wildfire are determining options for containment.
Closures and evacuations have continued for anyone who lives near Gateway on Highway 141, as even part of the Uncompahgre Plateau closed due to the blaze.
A community meeting regarding this blaze, as well as the Wright Draw fire, will be held at 6 p.m., Wednesday, at the Gateway Community Center, 42700 Highway 141. A livestream of the meeting can be found here.
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