Grizzly Creek Fire: Containment Grows, Crews Monitoring Lines For Heat

click to expand

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Containment on the Grizzly Creek Fire near Glenwood Spring grew to 71%, up from 68% reported on Friday. The fire also grew in size, slightly, to 32,448 acres.

GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO - AUGUST 26: Smoke from the Grizzly Creek Fire blankets Glenwood Canyon and Interstate 70 on August 26, 2020 in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The fire, which is at over 50% containment, has burned over 30,300 acres and forced a two-week closure of Interstate 70. The closure of the interstate, which serves as a main highway between the Western Colorado Rockies and Denver, harmed businesses and the tourism industry as no traffic was able to pass into Glenwood Canyon. Wildfires burning across the state have contributed to air quality warnings. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images)

More firefighters will arrive on Saturday to help strengthen contingency lines on the northwest flank. In other parts of the fire, crews have created 10-to-25 foot control lines around the perimeter. They will walk those areas and check for any heat coming from the ground with their hands -- known as cold trailing.

The number of personnel at the fire dropped slightly to 644.

Smoke from the Grizzly Creek Fire blankets Glenwood Canyon and Interstate 70 on August 26, 2020. The fire has burned over 30,300 acres and forced a two-week closure of Interstate 70. The closure of the interstate, which serves as a main highway between the Western Colorado Rockies and Denver, harmed businesses and the tourism industry as no traffic was able to pass into Glenwood Canyon. Wildfires burning across the state have contributed to air quality warnings. (Photo by Alex Edelman/Getty Images)

A Blackhawk helicopter from the Colorado National Guard is in the area to help with medical situations.

Crews are expecting gusty wind and rain on Saturday.

While Interstate 70 is open in Glenwood Canyon, officials remind drivers to be aware of delays for firefighting operations or possible debris flow cleanup.

Glenwood Springs News