Crews Make Progress Containing Wildfire Near Battlement Mesa
Wildfire crews have made enough progress on the Spring Creek 2 fire near Battlement Mesa that evacuation orders for residents in the area have been lifted.
Regional and Federal firefighting crews have been able to keep the fire from being a current threat to homes southeast of Battlement Mesa.
Beginning at 8 p.m. Sunday, residents were being notified they could return to their homes. With the exception of use by residents and emergency crews, roads in the area remain closed.
Fire officials say smoke, ash, and dust from the fire will still be impacting the area. State health officials ask that people in the affected area with heart or lung problems, older adults and children limit time outside.
As of Sunday night when the evacuation orders were lifted, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office reported no homes had been damaged or destroyed. However, there were four outbuildings, three trailers, and three vehicles damaged or destroyed by the fire.
At last report, the fire had burned 621 acres and is 40 percent contained. Officials still don't know the cause of the fire that started on private property in Garfield County and spread to BLM and private property in Mesa County.