Investigation continues into cause of fire that burned vehicles in Cameo area | News

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of a fire that broke out Friday evening that burned numerous vehicles and approximately 45 acres of land in the Cameo area and injured one person.

The incident occurred as firefighters were still finishing work Friday on a wildfire in Mesa that briefly triggered an evacuation order for some residents.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office said in a news release that its Wildland Fire crew was called to the Cameo Fire around 9:15 p.m. Friday.

Firefighters found a large portion of the hillside above the exit, in an area containing vehicles, debris and brush, engulfed in flames. Crews worked through the night to keep the fire from spreading, but due to the dangerous conditions, they had to retreat to a safe distance to do so, the sheriff's office said. A U.S. Forest Service helicopter responded Saturday morning to drop water on remaining hot spots.

The fire occurred on undeveloped private land and Bureau of Land Management land. Palisade Fire Department Chief Charles Balke said people were living in RVs on the land that burned, but he didn't know exactly how many.

The sheriff's office said all known people in the area have been accounted for. Balke said one person was taken to the hospital complaining of difficulty breathing and smoke inhalation.

He said about 20 vehicles were in the fire area, but he did not know how many were operational. He said the majority of them were destroyed while others were saved or left untouched.

Piles of tires and propane tanks were located on the property that burned. Balke said several tanks exploded, contributing to dangerous conditions and a lack of adequate water supply that prevented firefighters from launching an aggressive and prolonged attack on the blaze.

As the fire spread to nearby ravines and hills, firefighters were able to position their equipment to protect the Petroleum Wholesale gas station in the Cameo area and the fire posed only a minor threat to it , Balke said. The highway exit was closed to prevent people from entering the area during the fire.

A gas station employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said the fire did not come very close.

“The firefighters stayed on top of things and let the fire burn out,” he said.

Asked about the exploding propane tanks, he replied: “I heard booms up there. I didn't know what was happening.

Local BLM spokeswoman Heather Marsh said it's her understanding that the property that burned is mostly privately owned. She said the BLM could not confirm that people lived or were living on BLM land near the fire site.

“However, we are aware of an alleged violation of at least personal belongings,” she said.

Greg Larson, director of the BLM's Upper Colorado River District, said the BLM understands that people are on private land in the fire area with permission of the landowner, and that some of their property, such only cars and campers, are found on the BLM. land, “which we consider to be an intrusion”. He said he didn't know if anyone lived in those vehicles on BLM land.

He said the BLM was aware of the problem before the fire and would contact the landowner about the trespass.

If the fire is human caused and spread onto or started on BLM land, it is also considered trespassing.

“We investigate these cases and, where possible, seek redress,” he said.

He said the cause and point of origin of the fire were still under investigation. Marsh said she had not received reports that there was lightning in the area.

Meanwhile, Friday afternoon, the Plateau Valley Fire Department, Mesa Sheriff's Fire Team and other firefighters responded to a wildfire near the intersection of Highway 48 ½ and from Highway KE to Mesa. A reverse 911 call was sent around 5:30 p.m. advising residents a mile north and south of the fire to evacuate, although firefighters did not consider any structures to be in imminent danger, the fire service said. sheriff's office in another press release. release.

Firefighters were able to quickly stop the fire from spreading, aided by BLM/Rifle Fire Protection District Helitack, which provided water drops. The evacuation order was lifted around 8:10 p.m., and as of 10 p.m., the fire was contained to approximately 4 acres, with no structures damaged, the sheriff's office said in its release. It does not indicate what might have caused the fire.

Other entities responding to one or both fires included the De Beque Fire Department, De Beque Marshal's Office, Palisade Police Department and East Orchard Mesa Fire Department.

Balke said the risk of wildfires is increasing in the region.

“It starts to dry out pretty quickly, especially in the lower elevations. Temperatures are increasing, fuel humidity is decreasing, making it a very dangerous time of year,” he said.

Marsh said, “I know it’s on everyone’s radar to start scheduling fire restriction meetings when conditions warrant. »