UPDATE: Rifle PD have taken down all the traffic control and traffic is being allowed in every direction. There is still smoke but the fire is not progressing.
A fire in Rifle today that started immediately west of the I-70 exit to Rifle disrupted traffic and burned to the very edge of busy roads ushering traffic from the interstate to the town. The fire lay between the Colorado River and I-70 and appeared to start near the Lyons Pond rest area. The response was swift as smoke choked the area and winds fanned flames in the dry vegetation. The small fire has been contained and extinguished by firefighters, and Rifle police are no longer diverting traffic. There may still be smoke visible in the area.
Reported at 3:30PM: Firefighters are on site. The fire is burning actively in some spots. The fire is not very big, but due to its location is causing significant disruption. Responders initially turned traffic back around on I-70, but they're now allowing westbound traffic off the exit and into town. No word yet on how the blaze started.
