UPDATE, 8:22 p.m.: Authorities have issued a pre-evacuation notice for Peck’s Trailer Park and the Red Stone Road area further north of the Gold Mountain Fire along U.S. Highway 550.
A pre-evacuation notice means people in that area should be aware that an evacuation order may be coming due to hazardous conditions and should be prepared to evacuate by getting family and supplies together.
Authorities said they are setting up a hotline and will make it available as soon as possible. The number is 970-626-5484.
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Authorities have issued a mandatory evacuation order this evening for all areas along County Road 14 north of Ouray due to a growing wildfire.
Officials are urging residents and anyone else in that area to leave immediately. The evacuation area includes Panoramic Heights, Lake Lenore, County Road 14A and all other areas along County Road 14.
“If you choose to ignore this order, you must understand that emergency services will not be available and there is a good chance you could not be rescued,” Ouray County Emergency Management posted on its Facebook page. “Volunteers will NOT be allowed to enter the area to provide assistance.
Ouray County Emergency Manager Glenn Boyd told the Plaindealer at about 8 p.m. that the fire was around 50 acres in size and spreading.
“We’re getting gusts of wind. It’s not steady, but we’re definitely getting gusts,” he said.
An evacuation center has been set up at the Ouray County 4-H Event Center and Fairgrounds in Ridgway, 22739 U.S. Highway 550, for anyone who needs temporary shelter.
The Ouray County Sheriff’s Office ordered evacuations around 6:45 p.m. Saturday, less than two hours after Ridgway and Ouray firefighters began responding to the Gold Mountain Fire, which broke out below the Gold Mountain Ranch and near the Bachelor Syracuse Mine Tour area off County Road 14. The fire ignited when a tree fell on a power line.
Ouray County Sheriff Justin Perry has requested aerial support from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. Authorities plans to pull water from Lake Lenore to fight the blaze. At least three federal wildland fire engines also responded to the fire.
The fire broke out during a day of high winds and dry conditions in Ouray County, which has been under a red flag warning all day. It comes as some residents are calling for the city of Ouray to cancel its annual Fourth of July fireworks display.
Residents are encouraged to sign up to receive emergency alerts on their phone by texting ourayalerts to 65513.
