I-70 Mostly Reopened After Wildfire Sparks Near Glenwood Springs

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - All traffic on Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs was closed for hours on Wednesday because of a wildfire. Eastbound lanes reopened just after 6 p.m. One lane westbound was reopened at around 6:45 p.m.

Firefighters responded to the area near mile marker 111 at around 3 p.m. at 8:35 p.m. the fire was 25% contained.

Pre-evacuation orders were issued for people near Ami's Acres Campgrounds, on the west side of Glenwood Springs. No homes have been evacuated.

Glenwood Springs fire officials say the fire started and grew to about a half acre as construction crews tried to fight the fire. The fire grew to about 15 in a short amount of time. The fire is burning in pinion and juniper on steep areas of BLM land, fire officials said.

The fire is estimated to be between 35-40 acres. Type 1 and type 3 helicopters are responding. People enjoying the Colorado River are asked to avoid the area so air support can work.

They expect the interstate to be closed "for quite a while."

No injuries or property loss have been reported.

Residents who live in the West Glenwood Springs area and did not receive pre-evacuation orders, are asked to go to garco911.com to sign up for emergency communication. There first responders can contact residents in cases similar to this fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, but officials believe it was human caused and accidental.

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• I-70 Traffic
• Glenwood Springs News
• I-70
• Interstate 70