A wildfire has closed U.S. Highway 550 on Red Mountain Pass between County Road 18 and the Ironton Park snow gate, south of Ouray.
Named the Snow Shed Fire, the fire was reported adjacent to the highway near mile marker 88, near the snow shed on Red Mountain Pass – about 6.3 miles south of Ouray.
The Ouray Fire Department responded about 1:20 p.m. Sunday, according to a news release from the San Juan County Office of Emergency Management.
The fire was reported at 0.3 acres as of Monday morning, according to www.fireweatheravalanche.org.
Colorado Department of Transportation spokesperson Lisa Schwantes said CDOT was notified around 11:30 p.m. Sunday and issued a closure notice for Highway 550.
Schwantes said the road was closed out of concern that flaming trees could fall onto the highway and pose a danger to motorists.
Motorists traveling on Highway 550 between Durango and Montrose should reroute to Colorado Highway 145 through Telluride, Schwantes said.
This is a developing story. Check back with www.durangoherald.com for updates.
sedmondson@durangoherald.com
