The forest closure in Mesa County has been expanded due to the Turner Gulch Wildfire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The Turner Gulch Fire near Gateway has reached 15,286 acres as of Friday afternoon, but firefighting personnel have contained 34% of the blaze.

The Turner Gulch fire burning southwest of Grand Junction in Mesa County exploded late Monday night and early Tuesday, racing across 7,000 acres in a matter of hours and forcing new evacuations, according to fire officials.

On Friday, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forests announced an immediate expansion to the forest closure area at the northern end of the

The Turner Gulch Fire has reached 15,286 acres with 34% containment, while the Write Draw fire remains at 448 acres and 0% contained, according to fire officials.

Afternoon thunderstorms on the Western Slope have fanned the flames with gusty winds. Meaningful rain isn’t expected until Friday.

Fire officials are hosting a meeting on the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw fires at the Gateway Community Center on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be live-streamed on the Turner Gulch and Wright Draw Fire Facebook page.

The Delaware Forest Service is moving one of its new fire engines and some of its own crew to the Turner Gulch wildfire in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Firefighters continue to battle several wildfires raging on the Western Slope. The Turner Gulch fire nearly doubled in size overnight to about 14,000 acres with zero percent containment. The fire continues to spread in Unaweep Canyon and evacuations are in place along Highway 141.