Colorado Storms Bring Lightning and Several New Fire Starts

Showers and a few thunderstorms moved over Western Colorado on Wednesday and Thursday, leaving only traces of rain in Grand Junction, but causing flash flooding in places like Unaweep Canyon.

Lightning strikes from these storms resulted in a handful of new wildfire starts that we’ll go over below. Some of these fires will produce visible smoke today, and a few have already been 100% contained.

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Thunderstorms & Lightning Start New Western Slope Fires

Grand Junction Storms Help Spark New Wildfires Nearby — TSM GJ W. Jordan

The following fires were added July 15 and 16 to the Watch Duty interactive wildfire map, powered by field reporters and official data. What a difference a couple of days makes.

Two Track Fire: (84 acres) 7 miles northwest of Mile Marker 119 on Colorado Highway 141, just a couple of miles from the Colorado/Utah border. Reported July 15.
Jumbo Ridge Trail Fire: (0.1) East side of Jumbo Mountain in Paonia. Delta County. 100% contained. Reported July 15.
Little Round Mesa Fire: (0.1) Mesa/Montrose County line. 100% contained. Reported July 16.
Turner Ridge Fire: (0.1 acres) Unaweep Canyon. Reported July 16.
Bear Canyon Fire: (0.1 acres) Unaweep Canyon. Reported July 16.
Houston Mountain Fire: (.25 acres) Northeast of Houston Mountain in Garfield County. Reported July 16.
Beaver Fire: (3 acres) Co Road 317, Rifle in Garfield County. Reported July 16.

Some Western Slope Fires Were Contained the Same Day

Additional strikes started small fires in Montrose, Gunnison, Montezuma, and Eagle counties during the last 48 hours. Many of those have been quickly contained (100%). Those fires are indicated by grayed-out flames on the Watch Duty map.