EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. — A wildfire that started burning north of Wolcott on Friday afternoon closed a stretch of CO 131 and prompted pre-evacuation notices.
Dubbed the Alkali Creek Fire, the blaze was reported shortly after noon about four miles north of Wolcott, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. It was roughly 100 acres, and due to high winds in the area, deputies described fire activity as “erratic."
On Saturday morning, Eagle River Fire Protection District (ERFPD) said "everything was calm" overnight.
4 Eagle Ranch and Bureau of Land Management lands were moved to pre-evacuation status, and all pre-existing pre-evacuation areas would stay in place for the day, ERFPD said.
Two single-engine air tankers and a helicopter were called to assist in the firefighting efforts on Friday
Colorado State Patrol (CSP)– Eagle said CO 131 was closed between Highway 6 and State Bridge due to the fire. It has since reopened. Residents of the Horse Mountain and Muddy Pass areas were placed on pre-evacuation status Friday.
A photo shared by CSP shows a plume of smoke rising a the mountain. People are told not to call 911, as crews are already working on the blaze.
It was not clear what sparked the fire.
Warm temperatures have led to increased fire danger throughout Colorado, something that could be heightened by high winds forecasted for the weekend.
The Cameron Peak Fire in Larimer County led to new evacuations Friday, and there are heightened concerns for activity with the Williams Fork Fire burning near Hot Sulphur Springs.
>>> The video above includes a fire forecast for Colorado ahead of the weekend.
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