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High Park Fire: 6/25 update: 83,205 acres burned — Colorado ablaze with 7 more wildfires

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Current Situation: Monday firefighters will continue to strengthen the line on the north side of the fire. Firefighters will also monitor areas with structures and other areas throughout. Staffing will be heavy in the southwest portion. Reinforcing lines and mopping up areas will also take place. Crews continued to work throughout the night. [...] The total number of homes lost is now 248 after additional homes were lost late last week in the Glacier View and Hewlett subdivisions. Details of this are available in the assessment article to the right.

Total Personnel 2,037    
Size 83,205 acres
Percent Contained 45%
Gallons of water dumped to date 2.2 million gallons
Cost to date $29.6 million

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Wildfires punish Colorado – thousands evacuated – SFGate – Wildfires moved in on some of Colorado’s most popular summer tourist destinations over the weekend, demolishing nearly two dozen homes and other structures near Rocky Mountain National Park and emptying hotels and campgrounds at the base of Pikes Peak. With eight wildfires burning, including a fire that has scorched more than 118 square miles and destroyed at least 248 homes near Fort Collins, Colorado is having its worst wildfire season in a decade.

Eight wildfires roaring across Colorado – Boulder Daily Camera – On the hottest day of the year so far, wildfires erupted throughout Colorado on Saturday, producing fast-moving fires that burned down homes in Estes Park, forced evacuations in Colorado Springs and shut down state highways in southern Colorado. Firefighting officials are girding for more of the same as a hot and dry weather pattern likely won’t lift until midweek. A jetliner full of firefighters has been summoned to the Western Slope, where buses will take them throughout the state; firefighting planes and helicopters are being positioned around Colorado to be ready to strike; and fire managers are set for a tough battle over the next few days. “We are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best,” said Steve Segin of the Rocky Mountain fire-incident team. “We just have to hope Mother Nature gives us a break.”

image: wildfiretoday

Colorado High Park Fire: 6/23 update — 75,537 acres burned, 45% contained

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Current Situation: The incident commander reported that an estimated 2,000 additional acres burned on the High Park Fire today. Under red flag warnings, with recorded 84-degree temperatures at Red Mountain, gusts over 30 mph and relative humidity around 5 percent, the fire crossed the Narrows, establishing itself on the north side of Poudre Canyon. Hot shot crews were attempting a direct attack, but due to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire both the hot shot crews and engines involved in structure protection in Glacier View had to pull back for safety reasons.

Total Personnel 1,879    
Size 75,537 acres
Percent Contained 45%
Gallons of water dumped to date 1.3 million gallons
Cost to date $19.6 million

9news.com: Nearly a 1,000 evacuation notices were sent out Friday to residents near the High Park Fire. Friday’s evacuation area centered mainly along Red Feather’s Lake Road (CR 74) as spot fires moved into the Glacier View area.

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Denver Post — Photo 1 of 52: Nebraska National Guard crewmembers of Company C 2nd-135th General Support Aviation Battalion dump water from a Bambi bucket onto flames of the High Park fire, in Larimer County, Colo., approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins, June 18, 2012. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tate Petersen, Company C, 2nd-135th General Support Aviation Support)

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Photo 50 of 52: Kansas crew members observe the area as they fly to their designated location with a Bambi bucket full of water to help at the High Park fire in Larimer County, Colo., approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins, June 19, 2012. (Photo by Sgt. Ryan Kohlman, Company G, 2nd-135th General Support Aviation Battalion)

Update: High Park Fire, Colorado: 58,046 acres burned, 45% contained

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InciWeb reports: The High Park Fire is located approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins and has burned 58,046 acres to date and is estimated 45 percent contained.

  • 1748 personnel are working on the fire with a 24-hour schedule with night shifts and day shifts.
  • Yesterday a Red Flag Warning was issued for the fire area indicating critical fire weather. In the afternoon, winds shifted to the northwest and relative humidity dropped to 3-4 percent. Wind gusts of up to 30 – 50 miles per hour (mph) were reported. With the shift in wind direction and very low relative humidity, fire activity increased on the southeast flank of the fire near Laurence Creek Lane, Redstone Canyon and Horsetooth Mountain. The fire spotted across the line on the southeast corner, and numerous resources were moved to the area to assist. All aircraft was grounded until early evening due to high winds and low visibility.
  • You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.

Denver Post: After relatively optimal weather days in fighting the fire on Friday and Saturday, winds, low humidity and heat fueled the blaze Sunday and critical conditions are back on Monday. Poudre Fire Authority Chief Tom DeMint likened the fire to a “dragon.” “The dragon was sleeping” late last week, DeMint said. “Now, it’s awake.” As of Sunday, the High Park fire has cost about $12.6 million to fight.

ABC News: Police arrested a 30-year-old Denver man, Michael Stillman Maher, on Saturday, accusing him of using phony firefighter’s credentials to enter the fire’s restricted area. His truck had stolen government license plates, police said. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. Maher at first evaded authorities but was found later that night at a local bar. He was arrested for impersonating a firefighter, theft and attempting to influence a public servant. Police say they found stolen property and a gun in Stillman’s car, although they did not say if it came from a home evacuated because of the fire.

Update: High Park Fire, Colorado: 54,230 acres burned, $9.1 million cost to date, 20% contained

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The High Park Fire… has burned 54,230 acres to date and is estimated 20 percent contained. Additional firefighters have arrived with more than 1,533 personnel working on the fire with a 24-hour schedule with night shifts and day shifts. Steep terrain, limited access, and the presence of dense stands of beetle killed trees to the west of the fire area are of concern to fire officials. via: InciWeb:

  • Significant: Aggressive backing and flanking fire in all fuel types exposed to solar radiation. Fire behavior moderated due to late morning, early afternoon thunderstorm development. Single tree torching observed on the north end of the fire. Fire continues to push west into heavy beetle killed fuels. [...] Colorado Army National Guard and Colorado Air National Guard assisting with road closures and also providing fireline personnel, heavy engines and equipment; Damage assessment teams are validating and identifying damaged and destroyed structures; A significant number of structures were lost during the first 48 hours of the incident. The number of structures confirmed lost will be continually updated as they are assessed and verified; and the approximate ownership as of 6/15/2012 at 1600 is 69% state/private and 31% USFS.
  • You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.

Boulder Daily Camera: The number of homes destroyed in the giant High Park Fire west of Fort Collins jumped to 112 on Friday… [and] has cost an estimated $9.1 million to fight.

Denver Post: Firefighters plan today to deploy an apparatus rarely used on wildfires to battle the 54,000 acre High Park fire, hoping to more rapidly build a defensible fire line on the north and west flanks. It’s called a feller buncher. “It’s a very large piece of equipment,” said Reghan Cloudman, spokeswoman for the fire. “You can cut a lot of trees quickly.” [...] With more than 54,230 acres burned, the High Park fire is the third-largest in recorded Colorado history. Only the Hayman fire at 137,760 acres and Missionary Ridge, at 71,739 acres were larger, and those fires happened during the drought of 2002.


Fire explodes on the south side of Poudre Canyon as the High Park wildfire burns west of Fort Collins, Colo. on June 14. (ED ANDRIESKI / AP)

Tony Rayl / The Yuma Pioneer / AP
A wildfire sends up a huge wall of smoke, forcing authorities to temporarily close a section of U.S. Highway 34 east of Yuma County, Colo. (TONY RAYL / THE YUMA PIONEER / AP)

High Park Fire, Colorado: 52,068 acres burned, growth potential “extreme”

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A helicopter flies through Poudre Canyon on Thursday as flames scorch the forest south of the river. (Karl Gehring, The Denver Post) via: coloradodaily

The wildfire has grown about 5,000 acres over the past 48 hours, with the current total acres burned reportedly at 52,068. Via: InciWeb –

The High Park Fire is located approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins and has burned 52,068 acres to date and is and estimated 15 percent contained. [...] Today’s weather calls for building thunderstorms in the afternoon with winds developing out of the NE as storms move east over the plains. Late yesterday afternoon, a thunderstorm cell parked over the southwest corner of the fire. Downdrafts from the storm caused an increase in fire behavior, which launched embers into the wind, causing the spot fire on the north side of the Poudre River.

  • Personnel involved: 1,387
  • Significant: Continued evacuations of 600+ residences; Road closures are still in effect; Local residents have been allowed to return on a stand-by basis to some subdivisions on the east side of the fire; Spot fire north. [...] Colorado Army National Guard and Colorado Air National Guard assisting with road closures and also providing fireline personnel, heavy engines and equipment; Damage assessment teams are validating and identifying damaged and destroyed structures. Secretary of Interior Salazar visited the fire on 6/14/2012. A state-wide ban on opening burning was issued by the Governor today. Substantial increase in total costs to date due to use of actual expenses versus previoiusly used estimates.

You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.

KMGH Denver: Another 200 evacuation notifications were issued overnight at the High Park Fire burning near Fort Collins. At 11 p.m. Thursday, residents in the Glacier View area east from Eiger Road to Rams Horn Mountain Road and north from the Mount Blanc Guardian Peak area to the north end of Mount Everest Drive were told to evacuate immediately.

The Denver Post: Incident commander Bill Haberstick said the weather might aid the battle today. Humidity levels are expected to rise to about 60 percent in the valleys and 40 percent on ridge tops, up from 20 percent to 30 percent in the previous two days. “This is extremely good news,” he said. “Humidity retards the fire’s ability to grow and ignite other fuels.”

AP Raw video:

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High Park Fire, Colorado: 46,600 acres burned, $3 million cost to date

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Updated information on the High Park Fire, which grew by “only” about 3,000 acres since yesterday. The fire is heading into areas of beetle killed trees. From InciWeb:

The High Park Fire is approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins and burned an estimated 46,600 acres and continues to grow. The western flank of the fire is active and continues to be an area of concern, particularly as it moves into an area that contains 70 percent beetle killed trees. The northwest portion of the fire also is actively burning and will be a focus for firefighters today. A 120-acre spot fire on the north side of Hwy 14 has been contained as of Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, firefighters were able to anchor the SW corner of the fire and are still working to establish fire line there. Line has been built in the northeast corner and along the east flank of the fire. Structure protection is ongoing throughout the fire area, including in the interior and along the perimeter.The fire is now more than 10 percent contained. More than 1,000 personnel are working on the fire as of Wednesday. In addition, some 50 National Guard members have been called in to assist with roadblocks. Information will be posted here when roadblocks are lifted.

  • Personnel involved: 1,000
  • Planned actions: Air resources on scene include: 5 heavy air tankers, 5 SEATs (single engine air tankers), 4 Type 1 heavy helitankers, 3 Type 2 helicopters, 4 Type 3 helicopters and 3 Blackhawk helicopers. Approximately 37 engines are on scene. A Type 1 Management Team assumed command as of 6:30 a.m. June 11. Additional resources have been ordered.

You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.

Interactive perimeter map: This interactive perimeter map of the High Park fire burning west of Fort Collins, Colorado shows each overnight fire perimeter as released by Geomac.gov. Via: Denver Post


View Larger Map

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Sunset on June 10th, through the High Park Fire Smoke in Colorado. Taken by traviswerbelow in South East Fort Collins.


From the CSU campus – via: foryourblueskies


(photo via the Denver Post)

High Park Fire, Colorado: 43,433 acres now burned, still not contained

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The “good” news is that the fire grew by only about 6,500 acres since yesterday – which is much less than the over 28,000 acres it grew the day before. However, there will be winds today.

From InciWeb:

The High Park Fire is approximately 15 miles west of Fort Collins and burned an estimated 43,433 acres and continues to grow. The northeast portion of the fire is active and continues to be an area of concern. In addition, the northwest portion of the fire is burning hot. On Monday, firefighters were able to anchor the SW corner of the fire, which will help start to establish fire line. Air support helped fightfighters make ground on south flank and eastern flank of fire, but fire remains zero percent contained. Weather Tuesday is expected to be warmer and drier with winds out of the southwest and gusts up to 18 mph. [...] There has been one confirmed death of a 62-year-old woman as a result of the fire. For more information visit the Larimer County Sheriff’s website.

  • Personnel involved: 500
  • Air resources on scene include:Air resources on scene include: 5 heavy air tankers, 5 SEATs (single engine air tankers), 4 Type 1 heavy helitankers, 3 Type 2 helicopters, 4 Type 3 helicopters and 3 Blackhawk helicopers. Approximately 26 engines are on scene. A Type 1 Management Team has assumed command as of 6:30 a.m. Monday, June 11. Additional ground, air and engines have been ordered.

You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.

Aerials of High Park Fire – Fort Collins, CO

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Lory neighborhood / Lory State Park (near Horsetooth Reservoir):

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High Park Fire, Colorado: 36,930 acres now burned, still growing

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Yesterday 8,000 acres were reported burning. So in the past 24 hours, the fire has grown an additional 28,930 acres. That’s a huge jump. From InciWeb the Incident Information System:

Eighteen structures are confirmed lost or damaged and others are threatened. No details about the structures are available. Firefighters will continue to evaluate the area as it is safe to do so. Evacuations have happened quickly. Public and firefighter safety is our priority. One of the management objectives is to keep the fire within a boundary identified as north of Buckhorn Road, east of Pingree Park Road, South of Highway 14, and west of Boyd Gulch/Redstone Canyon. However, the fire has crossed Highway 14.Eight 20-person crews and other firefighters on scene Sunday.

  • Personnel involved: 400
  • Air resources on scene include: 5 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT); 2 Type 1 Helitankers; 2 Type 3 Helicopters; 3 Heavy Air Tankers; Air Attack; and Lead Plane. Approximately 15 engines are on scene. A Type 1 Management Team has been ordered and are expected to take over management Monday morning. Additional ground, air, and engines have been ordered.

You can listen to some of the EMS, Fire, and LE personnel who are involved HERE.


High Park Fire, 9 June 2012, 5:17 pm, Red Feather Lakes Road. photo by Judy Daniels


Here are some shots I took of the fire at about 4:30pm today at Tip Top ridge up Rist Canyon (about 4 miles east). I’m a resident in the Stratton Park Road neighborhood, got evacuated just after this. photo by Mike Sherry

See more photos at the Denver Post site. 

See also: Daily updates