A Western Slope wildfire that forced a closure of a section of Interstate 70 has been contained.
The Skipper Island fire, which burned more than 220 acres, likely was started by a campfire Wednesday night in the Horsethief Canyon State Wildlife Area, according to the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.
Fire crews will monitor the fire for flare ups over the next several days, the sheriff’s office said. A section of I-70 remained closed in both directions Friday so Xcel workers could repair power lines damaged by the fire. Residences and businesses in Fruita and Redlands lost power because of the fire. Work continued Friday to restore power to customers.
Alternate routes to bypass the closure include U.S. 50 and U.S. 6, according to the state Department of Transportation.