Royal Gorge Fire Update from Bureau of Land Management Public Information Officer: 4 p.m.
The Royal Gorge Fire has grown to more than 300 acres. The fire started on the south side of the river and has spotted to the north side. The fire is actively burning on BLM, state and private lands.Mandatory Evacuations are in effect from Parkdale to Soda Point, north of the Royal Gorge. U.S. Highway 50 is closed in both directions from Soda Point to Highway 9. Temple Canyon road has also been closed.
The Arkansas River has been closed from Spike Buck through Canon City. The Royal Gorge Bridge and Park has been evacuated.
Red Cross is opening an Evacuation Shelter in response to #RoyalGorgeFire at Evangelical Free Church, 3000 E. Main St. Canon City, CO. Contact Liz Jordan at 719-339-0618 for details.
An animal and livestock shelter has been set up at Pathfinder Park off of Hwy 115 between Canon City and Florence.
Public safety is the top priority for fire managers. The public can expect to see heavy smoke in Canon City throughout the evening.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Information Sources:
www.inciweb.org
www.twitter.com/BLMColorado or @BLMColorado
