Late yesterday the East Troublesome fire near Granby, Colo., blew up and raced east at the rate of 100 acres per minute. That’s 100,000 acres since yesterday. Evacuation orders for the Grand Lake area were urgent — “IF YOU LIVE IN THIS AREA, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!!” — and the main highway to the south was made one-way only, with both lanes heading south. For a time Trail Ridge Road was open to the east, although nighttime visibility with smoke made it a harrowing drive. That route was soon blocked by fallen trees, and early this morning the entire park was closed. Air quality in the park has been rated “hazardous”:
With Colorado’s firefighting resources already stretched thin, the outlook for this fire — and the park — is grim.
