WILDFIRE WATCH: Sunday’s update on Black Canyon’s South Rim fire
MONTROSE COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - As of the morning of Sunday, July 20th, the South Rim wildfire burning in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park sits at 4,252 acres burned with 21% containment, according to fire officials.
The fire has grown less than 30 acres since Friday. Crews made some progress on their fireline over the weekend. Containment was at 14% early Saturday.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is CLOSED to the public. Blue Mesa Reservoir remains closed west of middle bridge, and Lake Fork Boat Ramp is closed to the launching of boats.
Hwy 347 is closed at the junction of Hwy 50. Bostwick Park community in Montrose County is under an evacuation notice. Evacuations have also been issued by Montrose County for residences on M73, N73, N74, and O74 roads.
More than 500 firefighters have been focusing their efforts on protecting critical values such as dam infrastructure and homes, however several maintenance structures and buildings have burned in the blaze, and there have been reports of at least one campground impacted.
The national park is expected to stay closed for the remainder of the summer, and possibly until the end of 2025.
