News Summary
The Garfield Re-2 School District has postponed the start of the school year due to ongoing wildfires in Colorado. The new start date is set for August 13. The Elk and Lee wildfires are a significant concern for air quality and communication disruptions, leading to the cancellation of all school-related activities on August 11 and 12. Local authorities are coordinating responses to manage evacuations and ensure community safety amid these disasters.
Grand Junction, Colorado – The Garfield Re-2 School District has announced a delay in the start of the school year due to ongoing wildfires affecting the region. The new start date for the school year is set for Wednesday, August 13, 2025. This decision comes in response to the Elk and Lee wildfires burning near Meeker, Colorado, which have raised significant air quality concerns and disrupted communications in the area.
As a result of the fires, all school and athletic practices originally scheduled for Monday, August 11, and Tuesday, August 12, 2025, have been cancelled. Parents and guardians of students will be updated on any further changes concerning the start of school by Tuesday, August 12, at 5 p.m.
Currently, the Turner Gulch Fire, which ignited on July 10, 2025, is burning near Gateway, Colorado. This fire has impacted approximately 28,569 acres and is reported to be 49% contained as of August 11, 2025. Firefighters are actively employing both aerial and ground-based suppression tactics to combat the flames.
Evacuations have been ordered in certain regions affected by the fires, notably in the Big Creek and Divide Forks Campground Evacuation Zones. Meanwhile, the Ute Creek and Cold Springs Zones are currently under pre-evacuation status. These measures have been put in place as a precaution to ensure the safety of residents amid ongoing firefighting efforts.
Additionally, the Lee Fire, which began on August 2, 2025, has emerged as a more serious concern, having already scorched over 106,700 acres and currently being just 6% contained. The cause of this particular fire remains unconfirmed, although early reports suggest it may have been ignited by lightning strikes. In response to the rapid expansion of the fire, inmates from the Rifle Correctional Center were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
In light of these incidents, Mesa County has declared a local disaster emergency. This declaration is intended to facilitate response operations and to secure additional resources needed to combat the wildfires effectively. Alongside this, strict fire restrictions are currently in place across Mesa County due to the extreme conditions that raise fire danger levels.
Residents in the area face multiple challenges from the wildfires, not only the ongoing evacuations but also air quality concerns as smoke has spread across several parts of Colorado. The district and local officials are continuously monitoring the situation and working collaboratively to manage the effects of these disasters.
As the Garfield Re-2 School District prepares to start the school year under different circumstances, students, faculty, and community members remain hopeful for a safe return in the coming days.
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Additional Resources
- IQAir: Turner Gulch Fire Spotlight
- USA Today: Colorado Prison Evacuated
- Denver Post: Colorado Wildfires
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Wildfires
- KJCT8: Lee Fire Latest Updates
- Google Search: Colorado Wildfires
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