Eek! Hope you and yours are well, skigirl27, and everyone in that region. How bad are the fires, Moll?
Here's the info from 9news.com:
Authorities in Carbondale feel they can finally start battling a blaze that forced evacuations of a private school and a subdivision. The wind-driven 100-acre wildfire that started at about noon and as of about 7 p.m., temperatures began to drop and winds began to let up.
"It's moved very, very, very quickly," said Tanny McGinnis, a spokesperson for the Garfield County Sheriff's Department. "It started on private property and it's been fueled by 50 mph winds all day long."
Garfield County Sheriff Lou Vallario said Tuesday the fire was burning in mostly brush and grass.
About 120 homes were evacuated, but it was not known how many residents and students were being moved. Many of the students had already left for the day when the evacuation began at 1 p.m., however, some have been separated from their families.
Evacuation shelters have been set up at Roaring Fork High School, located at 2270 Hwy. 133 in Carbondale, and El Jebel Community Center, at 200 JW Drive in El Jebel, McGinnis says.
McGinnis tried to reassure parents that their children are in good hands.
"We are keeping your children safe," said McGinnis. "We are with them. They're with familiar people, teachers, members of their school. So, please have some confidence. We're doing our darndest."
A five-mile stretch of Colorado 82 was closed due to heavy smoke, but one lane in each direction was opened at about 7 p.m. A 3-mile radius was set up around CO 100 and Highway 82, which locals know as the "Catherine Store area."
One injury has been reported in the blaze. That person was taken to a local hospital. The victim's condition in not known at this time, according to McGinnis.
The fire has jumped Highway 82 and continues to head east, according to McGinnis. She says multiple agencies have responded and the blaze is less than 10 percent contained at last check.
