Wildfire — Yuma County, Colorado

2022-04-22 · Yuma County, Colorado

Event narrative

A wildfire was detected via satellite and radar around 4 miles southwest of Eckley, CO. County dispatch reported that the wildfire started south of Highway 34 east of Yuma, CO along County Road 33 near Road R due to a downed power line caused by a wind gust. The wildfire grew to 3000-4000 acres before it was contained. One home was reported to have been lost with a few structures damaged in the fire as a result. Highway 34 at County Road M was closed for several hours during the fire.

Wider weather episode

A significant weather system impacted the High Plains throughout the day on April 22nd and into the early morning hours of April 23rd. This weather system was not only a prolific wind producer, which led to many reports of high wind and wind damage, but also dust storm conditions and several large fires to occur. Later in the evening, a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) developed over eastern Colorado, spreading east across northwest Kansas and southwest Nebraska during the overnight hours. These storms produced thunderstorm wind gusts and thunderstorm wind damage.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1024766. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.