Bull Draw & Cache Creek Fires Burn As Air Quality Deteriorates

The fires in Montrose and Mesa Counties continue to grow.

After a clearer day yesterday the smoke and haze are back over Grand Junction and the Grand Valley. The smoky air conditions are expected to continue mostly due to the fires currently burning in Montrose and Mesa Counties.

The Bull Draw Fire is about 12 miles northwest of Nucla. That fire continues to grow working its way into National Forest land in Mesa County. The fire is currently only about 35% contained and has charred nearly 7000 acres.

The Cache Creek Fire continues to burn about 8 miles southwest of Rifle in Garfield County. It's only 14% contained and has burned nearly double that of the Bull Draw Fire. A pre-evacuation order is in place for those living along Battle Creek Reservoir Road and Cache Creek Road.

Today, Mesa County Public Health reissued a wildfire smoke advisory, "due to smoke from several in-state and out-of-state fires. MCPH will notify residents when the advisory is lifted. Periods of moderate to heavy smoke can be expected and the highest impact areas include locations near the Bull Draw Fire near the Montrose/Mesa County line."

Credit: Westernslopenow.com