Live updates: Airport Fire eclipses 22,000 acres; federal grant secured

Fire makes history

The Airport Fire that began in rural Colorado on June 19 has now burned well over 22,000 acres, making it the largest wildfire of 2023 so far.

The fire is currently 20% contained.

The Airport Fire is burning in a remote area of Rio Blanco County, near the small town of Meeker.

The fire has destroyed at least 10 homes and forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a grant to help the state of Colorado fight the wildfire, according to a press release from FEMA.

Fire rages on

Firefighters are making progress in containing the blaze, but the fire is still burning out of control in some areas.

The fire has burned through a variety of terrain, including forests, grasslands, and oil and gas fields.

The fire is producing a large amount of smoke, which is causing air quality problems in the area.

Help for evacuees

The American Red Cross has set up an evacuation center at the Meeker Recreation Center.

The center is providing food, shelter, and other assistance to evacuees.

The Red Cross is also accepting donations to help wildfire victims.

Firefighting efforts

Firefighters are using a variety of methods to fight the fire, including air tankers, bulldozers, and hand crews.

The fire is being fought by firefighters from Colorado, as well as other states.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area, which means that conditions are favorable for wildfires to spread.