Nearly a dozen aircraft and dozens of firefighters are aggressively attacking a wildfire that sparked on private land in southwestern Colorado before rapidly spreading into thick forests on federal and national lands.
The Bucktail fire grew to about 2,046 acres Friday after it was first reported about 11:20 a.m. Thursday in Nucla, in Montrose County, the U.S. Forest Service said.
No structures have been damaged, officials said Friday, but the fire is showing “extreme fire behavior” and has a high potential for spreading.
The Bucktail fire sparked as firefighting resources were already spread thin across the state. As of Friday, three other fires continued to burn in the foothills north and west of Denver.
Five engines, including one from Telluride and another from the Nucla Naturita Fire Protection District, are on scene. Nine air tankers and two helicopters are attacking the fire from above and more hand crews are en route, the U.S. Forest Service said.
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Montrose County Road 25 is closed as emergency crews respond to the fire. The closure extends from the 25 Mesa/Divide Road intersection to where the pavement starts on 25 Mesa outside of Nucla. Fire officials are asking people to avoid the area.
High temperatures and very dry weather are forecast for most of the state, prompting many counties to tighten fire restrictions and urge residents to be extremely cautious with any activity that could cause a spark that could easily and quickly spread.
“Fire managers would like to remind forest users to continue to be attentive of their actions and surroundings, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees,” the forest service said.
The fire is burning in pinyon pine, juniper and oak brush.
The cause of the Bucktail fire is under investigation.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.