Downed power line caused San Miguel canyon blaze

The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado

NORWOOD, Colo. – A downed power line was being blamed Sunday for an intense fire ripping through the San Miguel Canyon.

About 180 firefighters were fighting the fire dubbed the Beaver Fire, a day after a power line fell over and sparked a roaring fire through steep canyons covered in oak brush and pines. Fire investigators weren’t sure what toppled the line, but wind gusts in the area reached 45 mph Saturday.

No homes were threatened as the fire reached some 3,000 acres Sunday. However, Erin Curtis of the Montrose Interagency Fire Management Unit said area campsites were evacuated Saturday and “a few” campers were asked to leave.

Curtis also said Fire activity intensified Sunday afternoon as wind gusts picked up. The most intense activity has been to the north and east, in MacKenzie Canyon.

Neighbors were being asked to remove brush and flammable items from their yards as a precaution. Some residents were moving their animals, Curtis said.

The fire was most intense in MacKenzie Canyon, at the northeast end of the fire.

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