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
Felon freed by Biden arrested after shooting, raising fears of more ‘second chances’ gone wrong

Recently Released Felon Arrested in Shooting Incident, Sparking Debate on Criminal Justice Reforms

A Nebraska man, previously granted clemency under a reform initiative by the…
Four dead, at least 13 injured after speeding car crashes into crowd outside Florida bar

Tragic Collision in Florida: Speeding Car Leaves Four Dead, 13 Injured Outside Local Bar

A 22-year-old suspect, in a desperate attempt to evade law enforcement, allegedly…
Three landscape supply employees gunned down in Texas shooting, police say

Tragic Texas Shooting Claims Lives of Three Landscape Supply Workers: A Community in Mourning

Three workers at a landscape supply company in Texas lost their lives…
Trump says he's ending trade talks with Canada over TV ads

Trump Proposes $2,000 ‘Dividend’ Checks: A Game-Changer in Tariff Revenue Strategy

In a recent Truth Social post, former President Donald Trump proposed an…
Habba: DOJ moved ‘swiftly and decisively’ to stop ISIS-linked Halloween terror plot targeting Jews

DOJ Thwarts Halloween Terror Threat Linked to ISIS, Aiming at Jewish Community

Federal authorities have dismantled an ISIS-affiliated network spanning from Michigan to New…
Speaker of the Money: After 38 Years in Congress, Pelosi Stocks Up 16,930 Percent, Now Worth $280 Million

Speaker of the House Sees Wealth Surge: Nancy Pelosi’s Net Worth Climbs 16,930% Over 38-Year Congressional Career, Reaching $280 Million

Recent reports confirm that Nancy Pelosi, often referred to as “Speaker Emerita,”…
101-year-old Kristallnacht survivor warns current era 'equivalent to 1938' on anniversary of Nazi riot

101-Year-Old Kristallnacht Survivor Sounds Alarm: Are We Facing a 1938 Redux?

More than eight decades after enduring the horrors of Kristallnacht, a 101-year-old…
'Teacher of the Year' in South Carolina charged after allegedly trying to hit her baby's father with car

South Carolina’s ‘Teacher of the Year’ Arrested for Alleged Car Attack on Child’s Father

A South Carolina teacher who recently earned the prestigious “Teacher of the…
Princeton offering gender studies course exploring reproductive life in Gaza 'genocide'

Princeton University Introduces Controversial Gender Studies Course on Reproductive Life Amid Gaza Conflict

Princeton University, a prestigious Ivy League institution, is introducing a thought-provoking course…
Body of College of Charleston student Owen Tillman Kenney found

Remains of College of Charleston Student Owen Tillman Kenney Discovered

The tragic story of Owen Tillman Kenney, a 19-year-old College of Charleston…
Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa, The White Stripes and more introduced at 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Unforgettable 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction: Outkast, Cyndi Lauper, Salt-N-Pepa & More Honored

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame welcomed its 2025 inductees with…
Pilot of small plane killed in crash at Keystone Heights Airport in Starke, police say

Tragedy Strikes at Keystone Heights: Pilot Loses Life in Small Plane Crash at Starke Airport

A representative from Bradford County Fire Rescue informed First Coast News that…