GATEWAY, Colo. — People have been ordered to evacuate near Gateway in western Colorado due to two wildfires burning in the area. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office said evacuation orders have been given for all private land and areas between mile markers 120 and 124 along Highway 141 near Gateway.

A wildfire in the northern part of Colorado's Chaffee County destroyed two homes on Thursday and it is threatening dozens of others.

A fire burning in Eagle County closed westbound Interstate 70 near Dotsero on Saturday afternoon, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

More than a dozen fires are creating heavy smoke, with more lightning and gusty winds expected for parts of the Western Slope Friday.

Colorado’s wildfire season is heating up with blazes this week destroying two homes near Buena Vista and closing a national park. About a dozen active wildfires in Colorado were burning on more than 4,

The Colorado State Patrol has been called to help evacuate the campgrounds at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Area.

The Coconino County Sheriff's Office helped evacuate people from an area north of Jacob Lake and campers in the Kaibab National Forest nearby.

Residents along Escalante Canyon Road, especially past the Pot Holes recreation area in Montrose and Mesa counties, have been put on pre-evacuation status.

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found that wildfires in Colorado and throughout the western United States can dramatically alter the water quality of rivers and streams up to