Firefighters responded to a highly visible wildfire Wednesday east of Ridgway.
The fire, called the Cow Creek Fire, grew to at least 100 acres as of Wednesday afternoon, according to InciWeb, a federal website that tracks wildfires.
A large plume of smoke was visible to drivers on U.S. Highway 550, especially between Ridgway and Montrose, said Kim Phillips, spokeswoman for a Type 3 federal firefighting team. The blaze was burning through mixed conifer about 9 miles east of Ridgway, in the Grand Mesa Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, according to InciWeb.
Helicopters and an air tanker were working to suppress the fire, Phillips said.
“We are definitely utilizing all resources available to limit the growth, and we’re trying to take advantage of all opportunities that are available using our natural boundaries as fire breaks and things of that nature,” she said.
No structures were in immediate danger, she said.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
Wind was expected to be a factor Thursday, when suppression efforts will resume, Phillips said.
shane@durangoherald.com