The Medano Fire has consumed nearly 5000 acres in the Great Sand Dunes National Park about 25 miles northeast of Alamosa. Fire managers there are using strategic planning and risk assessment to protect people and private property in that area. They held a community meeting in the nearby town of Gardner last night. KRCC's Shanna Lewis was there and filed this report.
We've received an update on the Parkdale Canyon Fire since Shanna completed this report. Officials say weather conditions in the area were favorable today and fire crews made progress. Evacuations are still in place for the Royal View Campground and all areas west of County Road 61 and south of Highway 50 to the Arkansas River. Residents and businesses west of Highway 9 and north of Highway 50 are no longer on a "soft evacuation" notice, and residents east of County Road 61 can return to their homes and businesses. The Arkansas River will reopen to boaters tomorrow.
