Dinosaur, Colorado & Jensen, Utah - On Sunday, June 3rd, at approximately 6:10 pm, a motorist reported a wildfire north of Highway 40, near Dinosaur National Monument Headquarters. The fire is estimated to be approximately 17 acres and is expected to be contained by 6:00 pm on June 4th.
An interagency crew from Artesia Volunteer Fire Department, Jensen Volunteer Fire Department, Rangely Volunteer Fire Department, the BLM and NPS quickly responded to the fire, which was burning in grass, sagebrush, and timber. Nearby residents were alerted to the fire, but an evacuation order was not issued. No structures were lost or currently threatened. The monument would like to thank the local agencies who responded and assisted in containing the fire.
The cause of the fire appears to be human-caused and is currently under investigation. Any information regarding the cause of the fire should be reported to Chief Ranger Lee Buschkowsky at (970) 629-8683.
The Canyon Visitor Center and Harper's Corner Road are open. The Cold Desert Trail near the Canyon Visitor Center is closed until further notice. Operations at the Quarry Visitor Center and Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah have not been affected by the fire. They remain open to the public on their normal schedule.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
