At 1:32 p.m. Grand Junction Fire Department was dispatched to the report of a tree on fire near 1550 Riverside Parkway. The first unit on scene found a growing wildland fire and requested additional resources. As the fire grew along the north side of the Colorado River, fire crews and law enforcement officers worked to safely remove people and pets threatened by the fire. A BLM type 1 firefighting aircraft was requested and responded from Rifle. Ground crews cleared the area, and the aircraft quickly worked to extinguish the flames using water from the nearby river. Fire crews are still in the area to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. The origin and cause of the fire are under investigation. There are no known injuries.
Agencies responding to assist include the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Wildland Fire Team, the United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management. Xcel Energy responded to monitor power lines. Mesa County Animal Services responded to assist with pets.
For more information on this incident contact the Community Outreach Office at (970)549-5800 or by email at GJFirePIO@gjcity.org.