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LIVE UPDATES: Muddy Slide Fire in South Routt grows to over 4K acres; mandatory evacuation order in place

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At a glance


What: Muddy Slide Fire

When: Currently active; ignited Sunday, June 20

Where: Wildfire burning east of the town of Yampa in South Routt County. Estimated at 4,000 acres as of 6:34 p.m. June 23.

More: Mandatory evacuation in place for residents on Routt County Road 16 between mile markers 12 and 21.

6:39 p.m. The Muddy Slide Fire Evacuation Center located at Soroco High School in Oak Creek has closed for the evening and will reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday at Soroco Middle School, adjacent to the high school.

6:32 p.m. According to InciWeb, the Muddy Slide Fire has reached 4,000 acres with 0% containment.

4:35 p.m. The National Weather Service in Grand Junction is calling for a 10% chance of precipitation this evening in the area of the Muddy Slide Fire with mostly cloudy conditions and a west southwest wind around 15 mph.



Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast for the area before 11 p.m., according to the weather service, with scattered showers between 11 p.m. and midnight and then scattered showers and thunderstorms after midnight. There’s a 40% chance of precipitation. Winds will change to a south southwest wind around 10 mph later tonight.

4:17 p.m. A slideshow of photos from the Muddy Slide Fire.



4:09 p.m. Photos from Oak Creek Fire Rescue.

3:45 p.m. The Muddy Slide Fire has grown to over 3,500 acres, according to Routt County Emergency Director David “Mo” DeMorat.

11:50 a.m. The Egeria Park Roping Center is available for ranchers displaced by the Muddy Slide Fire to take livestock as well as a place to store vehicles, trailers and other things that needed to be moved as part of evacuations.

People can call Stacy Dilley at (970) 819-9811 to coordinate getting animals to the club just north of Toponas. Dilley said she has also with the Colorado Division of Wildlife to potentially use the club as a spot to bring injured wildlife as well, if that is needed. Those who are displaced might also be able to camp on the land.

“Right now I’ve got five horses and there is a possibility that I will be getting a herd of cattle in,” Dilley said. “Give me a call, at some point I am probably going to run out (of space).”

11:35 a.m. An aircraft is currently mapping the Muddy Slide Fire, and will soon have an accurate perimeter.

10:15 a.m. Here is an interactive map to the evacuation zones.

10:13 a.m. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment has expanded an air quality health advisory to include all of Routt County due to the wildfire. The advisory remains in effect until 9 a.m. Thursday.

Moderate to heavy smoke from the Muddy Slide Fire, as well as the Sylvan wildfire in Eagle County and several other Colorado and out-of-state wildfires, is expected Wednesday through Thursday morning. Heaviest smoke impacts will likely occur during the overnight and early morning hours in valley locations and in areas in close vicinity to the local wildfires, according to the health department.

Those sensitive to smoke, especially if they have heart disease, respiratory illnesses, are very young or elderly, may want to stay indoors. Outdoor activity should be limited when moderate to heavy smoke is present.

9 a.m. Wednesday, June 23: There is 0% containment on the Muddy Slide Fire. A Rocky Mountain Blue Type 2 incident management team has been ordered, as well as eight more hand crews. Crews will continue to work Wednesday along the active fire perimeter with support from aerial resources.

The Muddy Slide Fire as seen from Colorado Highway 131 between Yampa and Toponas on Tuesday evening. (Photo by Matthew Ferer)

10:20 p.m. Tuesday, June 22: Routt County has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents along Routt County Road 16 from mile marker 12 to Colorado Highway 134. This the same area where the voluntary evacuation order was put in place earlier on Tuesday. The Routt County Office of Emergency Management said earlier Tuesday there were between 10 and 15 homes in the evacuation area.

8:58 p.m. Tuesday, June 22: According to InciWeb, the fire has grown to over 1,000 acres.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions in place Wednesday

1. All open fires and campfires are prohibited except petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns, and heating devices that are underwriter approved.

NOTE: Any permit issued by a fire protection district, the Routt County Sheriff’s Office, or the Routt County Office of Emergency Management prior to this Declaration is rescinded unless resubmitted and approved by the appropriate authority as identified in paragraph 1 of the Exemptions section of this fire restriction notice, or until these restrictions are lifted by the Routt County Board of County Commissioners.

2. Smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles and buildings.

3. All chainsaws and other internal combustion engines, including motorcycles and ATVs, must have spark-arresting devices that are properly installed and in working order.

4. Use of fireworks of any variety.

5. Use of explosives.

6. Outdoor use of welding and cutting torch devices.

7. Use of tracer rounds or incendiary targets for all shooting activities in the county.

8. Individual agencies (such as fire protection districts, or state or federal organizations) may further restrict commercial activities not included in this Declaration such as construction, logging, or oil and gas operations.

Source: Routt County

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