A state prison in rural western Colorado has been evacuated due to a massive fire that has spread to more than 110,000 acres, state authorities said Sunday.
The Lee Fire is now the fifth-largest blaze in the Colorado’s history, according to state data. It has been burning with little control since Aug. 2 in Rio Blanco and Garfield counties near Colorado’s northwest corner.
As the blaze continued its advance on Saturday, all 179 prisoners were evacuated from Rifle Correctional Center in Garfield County, state authorities said. They were moved to another prison about 100 miles southeast in Buena Vista, far from the flames.
“This proactive measure was taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of all individuals involved,” Colorado’s corrections department said in a press release. Rifle prison “staff are still on-site working with state and local emergency management officials on pre-evacuation measures to safeguard the facility and property.”
No fatalities were reported due to the Lee Fire, and no structures had been damaged as of Sunday afternoon. However, the massive fire was only 7% contained by firefighters.
Several mountain towns in the two counties had been ordered to evacuate, including parts of Meeker, which lies about 150 miles west of Denver across the Rockies.
“It’s pretty scary when it gets that close to home and you’re like, ‘Ah, what do we do?’” evacuated Meeker resident Jeff Braaton told Colorado Public Radio. “Pack up what we need, essential-wise and hope for the best.”
With News Wire Services
Originally Published:
