Sowbelly Fire quickly spreads to nearly 2,200 acres, forcing road closures in Mesa County
The Sowbelly Fire, which is in Delta and Mesa counties, is currently burning in pinyon juniper fuels. Fire behavior was significant on Thursday because of high winds and hot temperatures, BLM said.
The smoke plume is 'highly visible' from U.S. Highway 50 between Grand Junction and Olathe, according to BLM.
Although local resources and smoke jumpers are responding to the fire, suppression has been challenging due to the difficulty of accessing the fire based on the terrain and location.
Due to the fire, the BLM and the Mesa and Delta County Sheriff's Offices implemented road closures in Mesa, Montrose and Delta counties.
In Mesa County, roads are closed at the intersection of ZS Road and 36 4/10 Road on the south side of the fire and intersection of YS Road and 31 55/100 Road on the southwest side of the blaze.
In Delta County, Escalante Canyon Road is closed at the intersection of Escalante Canyon Road, and Escalante Canyon Rim Road. The community can access Escalante Rim Road to the south but may not proceed west past the closure point.
'Please adhere to road closures for your safety and to allow fire fighters access while working to contain this active wildfire,' MCSO said in a news release.
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