UPDATE: Fire near Utah-Colorado border now contained
Jul 10, 2023, 3:42 PM | Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 4:49 pm
(Grand County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)
UPDATE: The MM217 Fire, which sparked near the Utah-Colorado border, has officially been contained.
“Thank you to all of the firefighters and organizations involved in fighting the #MM217Fire,” read a 4:32 p.m. tweet from Utah Fire Info.
As of yesterday at 12pm the #MM217Fire was officially contained. Thank you to all of the firefighters and organizations involved in fighting the #MM217Fire. Personnel are expected to remain on the fire until Saturday evening. Video from Monday. Credit: @BLMUtah, Bob Brennan. pic.twitter.com/INl25xNrZO
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 13, 2023
According to state fire officials, personnel will still remain on scene through Saturday evening.
At last update, the MM217 Fire had stretched approximately 1,800 acres.
#MM217Fire Update: The fire is approximately 1,800 acres. In most areas, smoldering and not moving. Most firefighters are now focused on mop up. We expect an update on containment this evening. Additional information can be found on the Utah Fire Information website. pic.twitter.com/SRNWxmcG34
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 11, 2023
Our earlier story continues below.
GRAND COUNTY, Utah — A brush fire near the Utah-Colorado border prompted the closure of Interstate 70 Monday afternoon.
According to information from state fire officials, the freeway was closed for a time, at mile marker 217, which is approximately 15 miles east of the border.
“Dry windy conditions and dry grass allowed a fire starting from a vehicle rollover on I-70 to grow to ~800-acres,” read a 10:06 p.m. tweet from Utah Fire Info.
Just a few hours earlier, state fire officials said the fire — dubbed the Mile Marker 27 Fire — had spread from mile marker 217 to mile marker 221.
#MM217Fire Update: The Mile Marker 217 Fire has grown in acreage and progressed to MM221. pic.twitter.com/iUOA8orglK
— Utah Fire Info (@UtahWildfire) July 10, 2023
Aerial and ground crews worked throughout the afternoon to contain the blaze.
“Firefighters have been able to moderate fire behavior this evening and expect containment by tomorrow evening, July 11,” the tweet continued.