Denver-based Encana Oil & Gas (USA) has shut down about 500 natural-gas wells and a processing plant in northwest Colorado’s Rio Blanco County because of the Wild Rose wildfire.
The Rio Blanco County sheriff’s office on Wednesday evening ordered the evacuation of Encana’s Dragon Trail gas-processing plant near Rangely. The plant employs eight workers.
Encana shut down the wells in coordination with the Bureau of Land Management, said Encana spokesman Doug Hock. He said the wells are relatively low-flowing and represent a small portion of Encana’s output in Colorado.
Hock said authorities will assess the status of the fire and its proximity to the wells and plant Saturday.
that three hot-shot crews have made “excellent progress” constructing fire lines and that the fire was about 10 percent contained. The agency said the fire has burned 1,065 acres.
Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp
