Lightning triggers grass fire at Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park
Lightning sparked the blaze along an entrance road to the Colorado park near Highway 150 around 3 p.m., prompting the closure of all inbound traffic to the park, as well as the visitors center.
A lightning-triggered grass fire burns near the entrance to the Great Sand Dunes National Park.
(National Parks Service)
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK, Colo. -- A thunderstorm triggered a grass fire Wednesday afternoon at Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park, according to park officials.
Lightning sparked the blaze along an entrance road near Highway 150 around 3 p.m., prompting the closure of all inbound traffic to the park, as well as the visitors center.
Radar image showing lightning detected near Great Sand Dunes National Park
(FOX Weather)
HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY LEVELS EXPECTED IN NEW MEXICO AS WILDFIRE SMOKE FILLS THE AIR
So far, no evacuations have been needed, and park staff are working with neighboring fire agencies to douse the flames.
FIREFIGHTERS GAIN SOME CONTROL OF NEW MEXICO'S HERMITS PEAK, CALF CANYON FIRE
The area has been plagued with high fire danger for weeks as gusty winds and low humidity retain its grip.
MAKING SENSE OF WILDFIRE JARGON
Fire Weather Warnings remain in effect for southern Colorado into Thursday night for winds up to 60 mph and relative humidity as low as 9%.
(FOX Weather)
The fire weather outlook shows continued critical risk across northern Arizona and New Mexico, southern Utah and Colorado and even the Las Vegas area.
HOW THE LAY OF THE LAND AFFECTS WILDFIRE BEHAVIOR
(FOX Weather)
THE FUTURE OF WILDFIRE DETECTION IS HERE: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE