The Yampa River has been placed on call, for the first time ever. It is because the water is so low in the lower stretch of the Yampa, near Dinosaur National Monument. The Division of Water Resources places a call on a stream when water rights owners do not receive the amount of water they have a legal right to. When a call is in place, some water users have to reduce or stop their use in order to send enough water downstream to fulfill the older water right. The Colorado River is also low, with the lowest amount of water flowing downstream in recorded history.

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A small grass fire Monday night cut power to parts of Craig for about two hours. The Craig Press reports the fire started in some grass along the highway, near mile marker 93, just across from the Craig offices for Yampa Valley Electric. Those responding to the fire were Moffat County Fire/Rescue and the Sheriff’s office, along with Craig Police. No word on what caused it.

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Firefighters have been busy in Craig, Hayden, and Routt County.

The Irwin Fire is the big one right now. It is next to Routt County Road 53 south of Hayden. It has burned about 170 acres on private land. Firefighters are cutting dozer lines, and putting out hot spots. One home was evacuated. Air tankers made 24 drops on the fire, including drops on that home. West Routt, Oak Creek, Yampa, and Steamboat area Fire Protection Districts are all working it. A crew on assignment with the U.S. Forest Service is also fighting the fire.

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The Murphy Fire is burning about five miles northwest of Hayden. It’s called that because it started at the Murphy Ranch, when lightning hit Friday night. That’s near the rest stop on mile marker 101 on Highway 40. One home has been evacuated and others were on pre-evacuation. About 700 acres have burned. Nine fire engines from Oak Creek, North Routt, and Steamboat Springs fire protection districts are helping the West Routt firefighters. The Craig Rural Fire Protect District firefighters are also helping fight the fire with firefighters from Bureau of Land Management based out of Craig.

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Colorado State Patrol will be out in force over the Labor Day weekend. Captain Doug Conrad is with the local Colorado State Patrol. He says they’ll especially be looking for drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs.

Captain Conrad is with Troop 4B of the State Patrol, which includes Moffat, Rio Blanco, Grand, Jackson, and Routt Counties. He said last year, they investigated seven fatal crashes and 34 other crashes related to impaired driving over the Labor Day holiday. He also wants to remind drivers to wear a seatbelt.

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Turkey Vultures are starting to roost in populated areas again. Craig Police and Community Service Officers will be using bird whistles and shell crackers to get them to relocate to less populated areas. The Turkey vultures can’t be killed or hurt. If you see a turkey vulture roosting in town, call Craig Dispatch at 824-8111.

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A Craig man who faces charges of first-degree murder for trying to kill his aunt, Susan Reeves, and then leaving her unconscious in a burning home in June, participated in a review hearing in Moffat County Court Tuesday. 36-year-old Jonathan Waugh appeared via video conference from the Moffat County Jail. His lawyer, Public Defender Kate Bush asked that the date for a three-hour preliminary hearing be set as far out as possible. That hearing will now be Nov. 19. Reeves was in the courtroom and expressed frustration at the delay. She is back in her home and wanted to thank the community for their support.

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Big-game hunters have a chance to apply for a limited number of elk and mule deer hunts on the Miller Creek Ranch in Meeker. This is in addition to hunts available on the Collins Mountain Ranch. Both ranches are home to the White River mule deer and elk herds, which are two of the largest big game populations in the State of Colorado. All eligible hunters can apply by contacting Colorado Parks and Wildlife, in their Meeker office.

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Railroad tracks were threatened by a wildfire Sunday night, which probably started from lightning. The Craig Press reports that the fire started about 10 miles southwest of Craig on the south side of the Yampa River, near County Road 30. Families at the ranch there saw smoke and then helped emergency crews find the fire. A helicopter and airplane was brought in by the Bureau of Land Management. Firetrucks were called in, and then it started to rain. Only the railroad tracks were threatened. Five other wildfires flared up in the region Sunday. The Citadel Fire was one of them, near Maybell, which burned about 300 acres. Moffat County and the City of Craig are still under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.

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School starts Monday. Students and parents will see a few changes with drop off and pick up at Sandrock Elementary and Craig Middle Schools. New sidewalks have been added as a result of a city project supported by grants from the Safe Routes to Schools Initiative. The Craig Press reports that school district personnel will be there to help direct traffic for the first few weeks of school. There are new signs up as well, reminding drivers to stay in their vehicles while waiting for kids. Handicapped accessible ramps have also been widened. Parents who have questions, can call 824-3287.

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The Yampa River is in a critical state, especially in the lower stretch, which runs through Dinosaur National Monument. Colorado Division of Water Resources is considering placing the Yampa River on call, which has never happened. That means water rights owners cannot get the amount of water they have a legal right to. They have to stop using water, or reduce what they are using to send enough water downstream.

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Most of Western Colorado is under a flash flood watch right now, until around noontime today. The National Weather Service out of Grand Junction says it applies to the areas where there have been fires, which includes areas in Moffat County and western Routt County. Heavy rain is expected, which can cause flash flooding, mudslides, and debris flows. Anyone near a burn scar area should be aware through mid-day today.

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