This is a developing news story, and KDNK will provide updates as they become available.
UPDATED 6/25 10:30 am:
Evacuation orders have been lifted for Grass Mesa. Overnight moisture has aided firefighters, who will focus today on securing the fire perimeter and extinguishing hot spots within. Air quality has also improved in the region.
The fire remains at 316 acres. Consult the Garfield County evacuation map for detailed information.
UPDATED 6/24 11:30 pm:
The latest evacuation order includes area east of Grass Mesa, along the ridge line east of Grass Mesa Road, including Gage Road and County Road 319 to the east. Leave now, there is danger in your area!
Evacuation warning/SET status applies to the following areas, where a short notice evacuation is likely. Prepare for sudden evacuation near Hunter Mesa and now Grass Mesa. This includes the junction of CR 315 and Brandon Way to a half mile south of CR 333 and CR 315 to the southeast. The southern boundary is a half mile north of CR 322 (Shaeffer). SET status also is now in place for Grass Mesa. This includes Sunset Lane, Rodeo Drive, Coyote Trail, Arrowhead Trail, roads north to Mustang Mesa Trail including Cedar Breaks Road, Quicksilver Way and Quicksilver Court.
The fire is 35 percent contained at 315 acres.
UPDATE at 8:00 am/1:15 pm: Evacuation orders remain in place as crews continue to battle a fast-moving fire south of Rifle that ignited Tuesday afternoon. A 315-acre vegetation fire forced evacuations on Gage Road, Sunset Lane and Grass Mesa Road in Rifle on Tuesday afternoon. Pre-evacuation orders also remain in place for Grass Mesa south of Rodeo Drive and Coyote Trail.
Management of the fire transitioned to the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit Type 3 team Wednesday morning. Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. Crews are utilizing a full suppression strategy with direct and indirect tactics to slow the fire’s spread and construct containment lines around the fire.
Fire personnel are working closely with Xcel Energy to inspect power lines and infrastructure so that power can be safely restored when conditions allow. Over 100 households are without power in the vicinity of the fire.
An evacuation shelter is in place at the Garfield County Fairgrounds. Follow Garfield County.net for evacuation updates.
6-23 7:15 PM
A fast-moving fire ignited this afternoon near Rifle. The Dry Creek Fire is south of Rifle behind CMC and the airport. Evacuations are being called for on Gage Road north of MM 1, Grass Mesa Road north of Gage Road, and on Sunset Lane. A pre-evacuation warning was issued for Grass Mesa south of Rodeo Drive and Coyote Trail.
This fire is running and torching in heavy fuels with structures threatened. Air resources and ground crews have been requested or are already on scene. It had grown to nearly 300 acres as of 6 pm.
For information on the Dry Creek Fire near Rifle, stay tuned to KDNK, or follow GarfieldCounty.net for evacuation updates.