Wildfire near De Beque Canyon tunnel

GRAND JUNCTION— Interagency crews are attacking the Roberts Canyon fire burning north of Interstate 70, above the tunnel in De Beque Canyon. Located in rugged, steep terrain with a fuel mix of sagebrush and pinyon-juniper, the fire is burning on the canyon’s rim on public lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management. The fire was reported at noon today and is estimated to be at about 50 acres. Industry crews drilling a completion well in the vicinity have been evacuated.

“The area is difficult to access and we’re in the process of determining whether there are any structures in the area,” said Tim Foley, west zone fire management officer with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit. “The fire is currently moving in a northerly direction, away from the distant Little Book Cliffs Herd Management Area.”

Resources on the fire include two single-engine air tankers (SEAT) from the Colorado State Forest Service, one engine crew, and the U.S. Forest Service squad. The Boise smokejumpers, Juniper Valley hand crew, another engine crew, and a helitack crew and miscellaneous support staff have been ordered. Current humidity levels will aid the crews in battling the blaze, however, forecast isolated thunderstorms are a concern.

The cause of the fire is likely lightning but is under investigation.

-BLM-