MEEKER, Colo. – An evacuation took place at a Colorado prison due to the expansion of one of the state’s largest wildfires, with authorities advising residents in remote regions to be prepared to evacuate on Sunday as strong winds and low humidity intensified the blaze.
Evacuation mandates are already in effect for mountain communities as the Lee Fire has scorched over 167 square miles (433 square kilometers) across Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, with only a 6% containment rate. Fortunately, there have been no reports of injuries or damage to structures.
On Saturday, all 179 prisoners were relocated from the Rifle Correctional Center as a precautionary measure, according to a statement by the Colorado Department of Corrections. They were moved temporarily around 150 miles (240 kilometers) to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex.
Burning through forests and underbrush about 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Denver, the Lee Fire has become the sixth-largest single fire in the state’s history, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.
Over a thousand firefighters are striving to contain the fire by keeping it west of Colorado 13 and north of County Road 5, officials reported.
Due to smoke from the Lee Fire, as well as the 23-square-mile (60-square-kilometer) Elk Fire to the east, health officials have issued air quality warnings.
In Southern California, crews reached 62% containment on the 8-square-mile (20-square-kilometer) Canyon Fire that forced evacuations and destroyed seven structures after breaking out Thursday near the Los Angeles County and Ventura County line. Three firefighters have been injured, including a battalion chief who was seriously hurt when his pickup truck rolled over in steep terrain.
The Gifford Fire, California’s largest blaze so far this year, has scorched at least 180 square miles (466 square kilometers) of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties since erupting on Aug. 1. It was 21% contained on Sunday.
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