The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Wildland Fire Team is finishing mopping up the brush fire that started around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 24, 2021, in Whitewater. The fire burned about 7 acres around the railroad tracks and along the Gunnison River west of the Mesa County Landfill. The fire spread quickly due to winds and extremely dry vegetation.  

No structures were damaged or threatened. BLM, Grand Junction Fire Department, East Orchard Mesa Fire Department, and Lands End Fire Protection District also assisted with the brush fire. Railroad traffic was stopped for a time, it has since resumed. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Fire investigators suspect a spark from a passing train combined with the dry vegetation in the area to be the cause.