Wildfire — Crowley County, Colorado

2008-04-15 to 2008-04-16 · Crowley County, Colorado

Wider weather episode

A wildfire erupted west of Ordway and strong winds spread the blaze rapidly east northeastward. Highways 96 and 71 were shut down, as 8900 acres of grassland was consumed. Twenty-four structures were destroyed west and north of Ordway. Over 150 power poles were destroyed. The entire town of Ordway was evacuated. Tragically, two firefighters perished when the truck they were in plummeted into a culvert, where a bridge had burned out.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 96184. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.