Colorado prison evacuated as growing wildfire becomes one of the largest in state history
Share this @internewscast.com

MEEKER, Colo. (AP) — A prison in Colorado was evacuated as one of the state’s largest wildfires continued to expand, with officials advising residents of isolated areas to be prepared for evacuation Sunday, driven by strong winds and low humidity.

Evacuation orders were already active for mountain towns as the Lee Fire scorched over 167 square miles (433 square kilometers) in Garfield and Rio Blanco counties, with only 6% containment. No injuries or damage to structures have been reported.

The Colorado Department of Corrections announced that all 179 inmates were safely removed from the Rifle Correctional Center on Saturday “out of an abundance of caution.” They were temporarily moved about 150 miles (240 kilometers) to the Buena Vista Correctional Complex, as noted by the department.

The Lee Fire, burning through trees and brush approximately 250 miles (400 kilometers) west of Denver, is now the sixth-largest individual fire in the state’s history, based on information from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Over a thousand firefighters are engaged in combatting the blaze, striving to maintain the flames west of Colorado 13 and north of County Road 5, according to officials.

Health authorities have issued air quality warnings due to smoke from the Lee Fire and the nearby Elk Fire, which has burned around 23 square miles (60 square kilometers).

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.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Erik Menendez denied parole, will have to remain in prison for parents' murders

Erik Menendez Denied Parole, Remains Incarcerated for Murder of Parents

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (KABC) — A California parole board decided to reject…
American Airlines plane landing.

Disturbing Mayday Call from American Airlines Pilot Highlights Aircraft’s Multiple Issues

Frightening audio recordings reveal the intense moment when an American Airlines pilot…
More frozen shrimp recalled for possible radioactive contamination

Additional Frozen Shrimp Recalled Due to Potential Radioactive Contamination

More packages of frozen shrimp potentially affected by radioactive contamination have been…
Feds nab suspected MS-13 gangster, top 700 arrests in DC crackdown

Federal Agents Apprehend Suspected MS-13 Gang Member, Surpass 700 Arrests in DC Operation

Thursday’s arrests in Washington, D.C. amid the Trump administration’s federal crime crackdown…
Surgeon Ryan Cho leaving the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Trainee Doctor Accused of Illegally Filming Women in Hospital Restrooms: Faces 130 Charges

A TRAINEE doctor has been accused of secretly filming hundreds of women…
Florida must stop expanding Alligator Alcatraz immigration center, judge says

Judge Orders Halt to Expansion of Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz Immigration Center

A federal judge has issued an injunction to stop the further expansion…
Chicago shooting: 4 shot, 3 fatally, in 2 East Garfield Park shootings on Maplewood, Gladys Avenues, police say

Chicago Incident: 4 Shot, 3 Killed in East Garfield Park Shootings, Police Report

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago police reported that two separate shootings in the…
Idaho police call out 'gross inaccuracies' in Kohberger TV special, special prosecutor investigating leaks

Experts Discuss Kohberger’s Prison Conduct: Challenges Faced by Vulnerable Inmates

<!–> Police Chief Shares New Insights on Idaho Quadruple Homicide Retired NYPD…
Fighter jet exploding on takeoff.

Frightening scene as fighter jet erupts in flames and crashes during take-off, pilots escape just in time

THIS is the terrifying moment a fighter jet burst into flames before…
Lil Nas X jailed on suspicion of charging at police on LA street where he walked nearly naked

Lil Nas X Arrested After Allegedly Confronting Police in LA While Nearly Naked

Rapper Lil Nas X was arrested and briefly took a trip to…

Missing Emmanuel Haro’s Parents File Another 911 Report Amid Fearful Claims of His Abduction

THE parents of missing baby Emmanuel Haro have claimed they were forced…
Bronzeville nursing home Southview Manor set to lose Medicare, Medicaid funding, at risk of closing

Southview Manor Nursing Home in Bronzeville Faces Potential Closure Due to Medicare and Medicaid Funding Loss

CHICAGO (WLS) — A South Side nursing home is at risk of…