Dinosaur, Colorado - On Wednesday, Aug. 21, at approximately 2:20 pm, a visitor reported a wildfire directly north of Highway 40, adjacent to the Canyon Visitor Center/Monument Headquarters. As of 8:00 pm, the Dinosaur HQ Fire is estimated to be approximately 160 acres and is moving in an easterly direction. It is burning on both sides of Highway 40 and affecting power lines in the area.
Multiple agencies quickly responded to the fire including the Bureau of Land Management, Artesia Volunteer Fire Department, Jensen Volunteer Fire Department, Rangely Volunteer Fire Department, Naples Fire Department, Moffat County Fire and Sheriff, and the National Park Service. Multiple air resources were used, including a large air tanker to drop retardant on the blaze.
The fire is burning in grass, sagebrush, and pinyon/juniper trees. The fire was human-caused and is under investigation. Any information regarding the cause of the fire should be reported to Janet Kelleher, Dinosaur National Monument Yampa District Ranger, at 970-629-2707.
The Canyon Visitor Center is anticipated to be closed Thursday, August 22nd, however the Harpers Corner Road will remain open. Operations at the Quarry Visitor Center and Dinosaur Quarry Exhibit Hall in Utah have not been affected by the fire and remain open to the public on their normal schedule.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
