Royal Gorge Fire and 5 Others Burn in Colorado

The Royal Gorge Fire is just one of five fires raging through Colorado this week. Due to high heat, low humidity and high winds, several fires broke out in Colorado by Tuesday afternoon.

The Royal Gorge fire is being called the major fire of the five as the fire near Canon City has burned more than 3,800 acres of land so far forcing nearly 1,400 visitors and 200 staff members to evacuate according to the Denver Post. The fire started on the south side of the Arkansas River and then jumped to the north side. The 20-person Pike Interagency Hotshot Crew was sent to get the fire under control but it still remains zero percent contained

The second biggest fire is the Big Meadows fire in the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was sparked by lightning and grew significantly on Tuesday from three acres to 400. It spread easily due to high winds. This fire has closed down five trails including Onahu Trail, Green Mountain Trail, lower Tonahutu Trail, Tonahutu Spur Trail and the Grand Lake Lodge Spur Trail, the Denver Post reports.

The next major fire is the Black Forest fire. This fire, which has engulfed 15 acres so far has led to the evacuation of more than 1,200 people in the Falcon Forest and Black Forest Regional Park. According to the Gazette, at least eight homes have burned so far. Firefighters are trying to control the fire but they have had to let some houses continue to burn.

Several other smaller fires have caused problems in the state. A grass fire closed down the C-470 highway near the University Ave. exit. This fire was extinguished by firefighters. In Aurora, a fence fire just east of Buckley Road on East Mexico Avenue, displaced at least 10 families. It grew into a three-alarm fire due to high winds and five buildings have been damaged so far from this fire.

Finally, a small fire broke out in Pike National Forest. As a precaution, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued a pre-evacuation notice. The fire is small at only 1-2 acres and is already 75 percent contained but it takes over busy areas such as the area north of Bergen Rock area to Highway 67, East to Highway 105, Devilshead North to Highway 67, then Rampart East to Highway 105. Residents are advised to not wait for an evacuation order if they feel that they are in danger.