The Denver Post
(TNS)
The Goltra fire, burning on more than 200 acres in Jefferson County, continued to grow overnight Wednesday, shutting down U.S. 6 along Clear Creek Canyon.
Fire officials first reported the lightning-sparked wildfire near Lookout Mountain in Golden around 5 p.m. Tuesday and the flames quickly spread across a “guesstimated” 10 acres, fire officials said.
By Wednesday morning, fire officials said the wildfire had charred more than 200 acres.
“Down-canyon winds caused some very erratic fire behavior last night and it grew significantly,” Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jackie Kelley said in a Wednesday morning briefing. “We’re at what we believe to be 200+ acres, and it could be much more.”
Witnesses saw lightning strike the mountain and the fire started shortly after, Kelley said. The fire started on top of the mountain and worked its way down to U.S. 6 overnight, but firefighters were able to hold it at the road.
Kelley said the continued windy conditions Wednesday and steep terrain in the area make it difficult for firefighters to battle the wildfire.
“[Firefighters] that were on the scene last night said that every step is rocky, every step is unsteady,” Kelley said. “And once again we’re dealing with a lot of rattlesnake activity in that area.”
Kelley said Jefferson County fire officials requested 75 firefighters and two helicopters to fight the fire Wednesday, and that they would find out later Wednesday morning if their requests were approved.
Currently, no homes or structures are threatened by the fire, according to Kelley.
U.S. 6 is closed in both directions between U.S. 40 and Colorado 93 in Golden, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
No evacuations had been ordered as of Wednesday morning, according to county officials.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
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