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I-70 back open in both directions after Glenwood Canyon mudslides

There were five mudslides in that area Saturday afternoon, CDOT said.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. — The eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 have reopened in Glenwood Canyon after mudslides the day before in several locations, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

CDOT said there were five slides in all Saturday, with the first one happening at 3:20 p.m. Some of them were 9 feet deep and covered hundreds of feet of roadway, according to CDOT.

The westbound lanes reopened Sunday morning, but the eastbound lanes remained closed until Sunday afternoon, CDOT said.

>> Watch below: Crews working to clean up I-70 

It was the fourth closure in a week. Earlier last week, CDOT warned drivers about the potential for closures and said to prepare to use alternate routes if necessary.

The heavy rain can bring down mud onto the highway due to burn scars from the Grizzly Creek Fire, which burned near the highway last summer. That is exactly what happened last Sunday when an 80 foot wide and 5-foot deep mudslide covered the highway.

RELATED: Threat of mudslides in Colorado could stick around throughout the summer

Last Sunday's mudslide was the second in as many days to hit that area. Saturday's mudslide also closed I-70 through Glenwood Canyon for hours. The slides were happening in areas burned in last year's Grizzly Creek Fire.

Drivers should stay in their cars if they're caught in a flash flood or mudslide, CDOT officials said last week.

RELATED: Rain helps fighting Colorado wildfires but hurts burn scar areas

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