Updated at 10:16 a.m. on May 21, 2022
Cold, wet weather helped firefighters cap the Simms fire burn area and reach 15 percent containment. Read the latest on evacuations right here.
Our original story follows below.
A wildfire burning 15 miles southwest of Montrose has destroyed at least three structures on national forest land, the fire’s incident management team said Friday.
At least 10 more uninhabited structures are threatened. Evacuations remain in place for people who live in Wild Cat Canyon, as well as those between Simms Mesa Road. and Government Springs Road, according to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office.
Cold, wet weather has helped cap the fire’s growth at 371 acres. But containment is still estimated at 0 percent, according to a statement from the U.S. Forest Service.
“The fire is being aggressively suppressed,” the statement said. “Additional air and fire resources are on order.”
EVACUATION NOTICE
— Montrose County Sheriff's Office (@montrosesheriff) May 20, 2022
Any individuals that reside between Simms Mesa Rd, Government Springs Road as well as Wild Cat Canyon, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. The evacuation area is a 5 mile radius of the pin on the map. Coordinates are 38.2763, -107.9271. pic.twitter.com/yeSyUhxsln
An evacuation assistance center has opened at Ridgway Secondary School. The address is 1200 Green Street in Ridgway.
The fire broke out Thursday evening in the Uncompahgre National Forest. The Forest Service conducted a controlled burn in the area on Monday with monitoring for the rest of the week. However, authorities have not confirmed how the fire started.
You want to know what is really going on these days, especially in Colorado. We can help you keep up. The Lookout is a free, daily email newsletter with news and happenings from all over Colorado. Sign up here and we will see you in the morning!
It takes a good day’s drive to cover Colorado, but we’ll help you do it in a few minutes. Our newsletters bring you a closer look at the stories that affect you and the music that inspires you.
Colorado Postcards are snapshots of our colorful state in sound. They give brief insights into our people and places, our flora and fauna, and our past and present, from every corner of Colorado. Listen now.