Silver Creek Fire Gets Second Wind

Forest Service is evacuating hunters and campers in the area.

A fire northwest of Kremmling has jumped established containment lines and is picking up in intensity. The increased winds over the last 24 hours have reignited the fire and now smoke can be seen from Kremmling, Steamboat Springs, and Highway 40. According to National Forest Service spokesman Aaron Voos "...the direction that it's heading is primarily into Grand County... It's the northeast portion of the fire right by Buffalo Park." The fire is currently about 4 or 5 miles south of US Highway 40 and moving north-northeast along the Routt-Grand county border.

At last report, the Silver Creek Fire has burned just over 5,000 acres and is 76% contained.

The wind has picked up and now much of the western slope is under a red flag warning. In the Grand Valley, Red Flag Warnings are in effect until 9 PM today and from 10 AM to 9 PM tomorrow (Thursday). The lack of rain, high winds, and low humidity mean conditions are ideal for wildfires.

Grand Junction NWS Forecast...

This Afternoon

Sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a southwest wind around 20 mph.

Tonight

Clear, with a low around 56. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 80. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph.

Credit: Steamboat Pilot