Evacuations ordered in Gateway area due to wildfires

MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) — On Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the Mesa County Sheriff’s office ordered evacuations for residents in all private land and areas between Mile Markers 120 and 124 along Highway 141 near Gateway.

An Evacuation Center is located at the Clifton Community Campus, located at 3270 D 1/2 Road in Clifton.

The Mesa County Natural Resources Department has set up an assistance phone line for those who need help with securing shelter for their large animals. Residents can contact the line at 970-778-0162.

The evacuation notice has been made as a result of the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fires in the area, which started on Thursday. Other fires that are burning on Saturday include the South Rim Fire in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, the Sowbelly Fire in the Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area and the Deer Creek Fire near Old La Sal in Utah.

Residents can sign up for Emergency Alerts at Grand Junction’s Regional Communication Center website.

Earlier on Saturday at noon, the CO Highway 141 near Gateway area was given a pre-evacuation notice from the Mesa County Sheriff’s office.

More information on how to prepare for an evacuation can be found on Mesa County’s website.

WesternSlopeNow will update this story as it develops.

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