Willow Fire burns up to 10 acres, destroys four Rifle apartments

Update, 8:55 p.m.: Crews have knocked down flames from the Willow Fire in both the wildland area and at the Rifle Creek Apartments, where four apartments were a complete loss, Colorado River Fire Rescue Chief Leif Sackett said Wednesday evening.

The fire is estimated at eight to 10 acres, though Sackett said that number remains an estimate.

Crews are working on hot spots and will remain on scene overnight to monitor both the damaged apartment building and the wildland area, Sackett said.

Residents along Willow Creek and most residents of the Rifle Creek Apartments near West 30th Street had been allowed to return Wednesday evening, Sackett said. Two buildings at the apartment complex will remain evacuated overnight, with further decisions expected Thursday.

The fire spread into the roof of an eight-unit apartment building at the Rifle Creek Apartments during firefighting operations. Sackett said four of the apartments were a complete loss, while the extent of damage to the other four remained unknown Wednesday evening.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Original, 6:34 p.m.: A fast-moving structure and wildland fire in Rifle, called the Willow Fire, is prompting evacuations as crews work to contain flames that significantly damaged an apartment building, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue.

The acreage was not immediately available Wednesday evening.

Colorado River Fire Rescue responded to a reported structure fire at about 4:01 p.m. in the 100 block of Willow Creek Circle. Initial reports indicated a backyard fire was threatening a residence, according to the fire district.

Strong winds and heavy fuels caused the fire to spread quickly beyond the structure and into the wildland area along Government Creek. The fire continued moving along the creek corridor toward the Rifle Creek Apartments near West 30th Street.

Evacuations were ordered for residents along Willow Creek Circle and West 30th Street because of high winds and rapidly changing conditions, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue. Emergency officials have established the Garfield County Fairgrounds as a temporary evacuation location for displaced residents, and the American Red Cross was called to assist.

During firefighting operations, the fire spread into the roof of an eight-unit apartment building at the Rifle Creek Apartments. The building sustained significant damage and is believed to be a total loss, according to Colorado River Fire Rescue.

Colorado River Fire Rescue is being assisted by Grand Valley Fire Protection District, Glenwood Springs Fire Department, Rifle Police Department, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

“We have lots of resources coming in to help us from different departments across the region, so that kind of gives you a clue that things are, we just need a hand on getting things buttoned up,” said P.J. Tillman, a Colorado River Fire Rescue official assisting with public information.

A Type 3 helicopter is also on scene, according to Tillman.

Firefighters also rescued one dog from an apartment during the incident.

As of 6:34 p.m., fire crews remain on scene working to contain the fire, extinguish hot spots and assess damage.

The Post Independent will continue to update this story.