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Colorado highway closed after rattlesnakes slow efforts to fight fire

By Megan Ziegler
Published  August 21, 2024 1:47pm CDT
Colorado
FOX TV Stations
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A photo of the Golta Fire scene, posted by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 21, 2024. Image: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

The Brief

    • Colorado officials are fighting a wildfire burning in Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, which is along the foothills west of Denver. 
    • A lightning strike ignited the fire, which is spread across 200 acres. 
    • Officials say loose rocks on steep terrain and rattlesnakes are hindering firefighters’ efforts.

Colorado officials are fighting a wildfire burning in Clear Creek Canyon near Golden, which is along the foothills west of Denver. 

The fire started Tuesday evening and was sparked by lightning, The Denver Post reported fire officials had said. 

A photo of the Golta Fire scene, posted by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 21, 2024. Image: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office

As of Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said the fire, which is being called the Goltra Fire, was burning across more than 200 acres. 

U.S. 6 was closed, which runs west into the mountains from Golden slightly north of the main thoroughfare I-70. 

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also said several factors were adding difficulty to the crews, including steep vertical terrain with loose rocks and rattlesnakes. 

"[Firefighters] that were on the scene last night said that every step is rocky, every step is unsteady," Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jackie Kelley reportedly told The Denver Post. "And once again we’re dealing with a lot of rattlesnake activity in that area."

U.S. 6 was closed, which runs west into the mountains from Golden slightly north of the main thoroughfare I-70. 

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Helicopters from area agencies were making water drops, and 65 firefighters were said to be on the ground Wednesday. 

The Source

  • Information in this article was taken from a reporting from The Denver Post, and social media reports posted on X by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in efforts of keeping the public informed. This story was reported from Detroit.