New Fires to the West, mandatory evacuations being implemented

At approximately noon today, fire officials received a report of a fire burning out of control near County 29 and County Rd. P.

At this time the fire is estimated to be approx. 15-20 acres and headed in a north easterly direction rapidly.

Mandatory evacuations are being implemented in the area and approximately 15-20 evacuations have been made.

Evacuees are asked to check in at the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Substation in Dolores to register.

Arial support has been requested as well as a 20 man fire fighting crew are enroute.

The Sheriff’s office will be setting up a phone hotline as soon as possible and information will be forth coming on the Sheriff’s Website. www.montezumasheriff.org 

The Red Cross is responding as well.

Lt. Ted G. Meador

Detective Division

Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office

Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire south of Dolores which was reported at about 11 a.m. today.  The Roatcap Fire is the result of a trash burn on private land that escaped.  It is not estimated at 15 acres and growing under windy conditions in a populated area.  Firefighters are responding from nearby counties, US Forest Service, BLM, and Ute Mountain Ute.  A type 3 helicopter is en route, as is the 20-person hotshot crew that had been stationed on the Vallecito Fire.  The fire is burning east of Highway 145 in the Simon Draw area.