This is a developing news story, and Aspen Public Radio will provide updates as they become available.
A fire in the 800 block of Gage Road in Rifle is forcing homes and businesses in the area to evacuate.
Residents north of Mile Marker 1 on Gage Road, north of Gage Road on Grass Mesa Road and on Sunset Lane need to evacuate now, emergency officials stated as of 3:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Evacuated residents can go to the Garfield County Fairgrounds.
A pre-evacuation notice is also in place for Grass Mesa south of Rodeo Drive and Coyote Trail. Garfield County will continue to send push notifications and update on its website with evacuation orders.
These orders will be in place overnight, according to the Colorado River Fire District.
As of 5:34 p.m., the fire was estimated to be about 288 acres, and had jumped County Road 319.
Fire officials report a high rate of spread due to heavy fuels in the area. In addition to threatening multiple structures in the area, it’s also threatening gas infrastructure, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue’s social media.
Two helicopters, two single engine air tankers, and two large air tankers have been requested for an air attack, as well as one large air tanker and two hand crews.