Colorado wildfire keeps I-70 closed

Closure is straining local and regional supply chains

EAGLE, Colo. — Gov. Jared Polis said Friday a portion of Interstate 70 could be closed for another 2-3 days as firefighters battle a wildfire that has forced evacuations and scorched about 23 square miles in western Colorado.

“Literally, the flames are right on the edge of the highway,” Polis said during a news conference at the Eagle County Fairgrounds after meeting with the fire’s incident commander, The Vail Daily reported.

“They’re doing their best, and so far they have been successful in having one lane open for emergency access of fire vehicles, and firefighting supplies and personnel,” he said.

The Grizzly Creek Fire burning in a canyon east of Glenwood Springs has shut down a 57-mile portion of Interstate 70 for five days.

The closure of I-70, the state’s main east-west artery, has forced drivers headed across Colorado to take long detours. Colorado Highway 82 over Independence Pass near Aspen was closed Wednesday after heavy traffic on the sometimes narrow mountain road, which was not a recommended detour, created unsafe conditions. Multiple vehicles towing trailers became stuck on the pass, which remained closed Friday.

“It’s kind of like a game of whack-a-mole,” said Amber Barrett, a spokeswoman for the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office. “You close one road, and another one becomes a problem.”

The blaze is the top priority wildfire in the country because of the I-70 shutdown, which has strained local and regional supply chains.

Some homes east of Glenwood Springs have been evacuated and residents in other areas have been told to be prepared to leave if the fire intensifies.