Colorado Wildfires 2013

 

 

 

Colorado Wildfires 2013 Fire crews battle more than a dozen erratic wildfires across Colorado which has forced evacuation of over 1,500 people . More than 12 wildfires engulfing Colorado have forced the evacuation of over 1,500 people. The blaze has scorched 133 square miles of forest. Firefighters describe the inferno as 'unpredictable' A massive wildfire threatening a tourist region in southwestern Colorado has grown to nearly 60 square miles, but officials said Saturday that the erratic blaze had slowed and they were optimistic they could protect the town of South Fork. The fire's rapid advance prompted more than 400 evacuations Friday, and it could be days before people are allowed back into their homes, cabins and RV parks, fire crew spokeswoman Laura McConnell said. South Fork Mayor Kenneth Brooke estimated that up to 1,500 of the town's permanent residents and summer visitors were evacuated. Extreme: This U.S. Forest Service photo shows fire rising over the West Fork Complex in Colorado Smoke-logged: Smoke from the West Fork Fire surrounds drivers on Colorado 149 near South Fork, Colorado, which was closed Some business owners were being allowed back into South Fork to prepare for the lifting of the evacuations. Officials, meanwhile, closely monitored an arm of the blaze moving toward the neighboring town of Creede. 'We were very, very lucky,' said Rio Grande County Commissioner Carla Shriver. 'We got a free pass yesterday.' McConnell said no structures had been lost and the fire was still about 5 miles from the town. The blaze had been fueled by dry, hot, windy weather and a stand of dead trees, killed by a beetle infestation. But the fire's spread had slowed by Saturday morning after the flames hit a healthy section of forest. Fire crews remained alert as more hot, dry and windy weather was forecast. The wildfire, a complex of three blazes, remains a danger, officials said. 'The fire is very unpredictable,' Shriver told evacuees at Del Norte High School, east of the fire. 'They are saying they haven't quite seen one like this in years. There is so much fuel up there.' Smoke permeated the air Saturday in Del Norte, where a Red Cross shelter was set up for evacuees. Standing guard: Firefighters from the San Juan Hotshots based in Durango, Colorado, clear brush from around homes in South Fork Wildfire: Colorado State Patrol officers man a road block on U.S. 160 east of South Fork, Colorado, as a wildfire burns west of the town Anticipating the mandatory South Fork evacuation would last for days, the Red Cross promised more supplies and portable showers. Ralph and Leilani Harden of Victoria, Texas, spend summers in South Fork. 'We jumped out of the South Texas hot box into the Colorado frying pan,' Ralph Harden said. Bob and Sherry Mason bought the Wolf Creek Ski Lodge on the Western Edge of South Fork about a year and a half ago. 'This (wildfire) was in our contingency plan being Colorado, but we didn't expect it this soon,' Sherry Mason said. New fire crews, meanwhile, descended from other areas to join more than 32 fire engines stationed around South Fork, with hoses and tankers at the ready. Firefighters also worked to move potential fuel, such as lawn furniture, propane tanks and wood piles, away from homes and buildings. The town of Creede's 300 residents were under voluntary evacuation orders as officials feared the fire could reach the roads leading out of town. The heavy black smoke, broken up only by an orange glow over the outlines of the San Juan mountains, had lightened Saturday morning. Monitoring: Firefighters in South Fork, Colorado, watch a wildfire that burns west of town Glowing: The smoke in the sky over a ranch near South Fork, Colorado, glows red from a wildfire that is threatening the town It had been so thick that the shade from the smoke plume helped keep an 18-square-mile wildfire burning 100 miles to the east near Walsenburg from spreading as fast as it would have otherwise. Susan Valente, an on-site spokeswoman for the fire near Walsenburg, said the shade helped keep the forest from drying out in the hot afternoon sun. Residents from 300 homes remain evacuated while in the city of Walsenburg and the town of Aguilar remain on pre-evacuation notice, meaning residents must be ready to flee at a moment's notice. 'Fire conditions are prime with the combination of fuels, heat, winds and low humidity,' fire information officer Mike Stearly of the Rocky Mountain Area Coordination Center said. 'It's expected to be like this through next Tuesday.' There are 12 wildfires burning in Colorado that have scorched 133 square miles, which includes the Black Forest fire that destroyed 511 homes north of Colorado Springs and is the most destructive in Colorado history   Houses destroyed as FOUR wildfires burn in Colorado A wildfire in a heavily wooded residential area northeast of Colorado Springs led to the mandatory evacuations of more than 2,000 homes Video from a helicopter showed several large homes engulfed in flames All of the wildfires were moving quickly, driven by record temperatures and strong winds At least four major wildfires fueled by hot, gusty weather burned along the front of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado on Tuesday, destroying a handful of large houses and chasing people from hundreds of homes. Thick smoke plumes visible for miles billowed from fires near Colorado Springs, in southern Colorado, and in Rocky Mountain National Park to the north. A wildfire in a heavily wooded residential area northeast of Colorado Springs led to the mandatory evacuations of more than 2,000 homes, including some worth more than $1 million, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said. Scroll down for video Wildfire: Visitors and employees leave the Royal Gorge Bridge park in Colorado as smoke billows skyward Tuesday afternoon A man watches Tuesday as a fire burns out of control north of Shoupe Road and East of Highway 83 in Colorado Springs Wildfires torch Colorado homes Video from a helicopter showed several large homes engulfed in flames. About eight homes had burned, Maketa said, but he had no exact number because the fire was moving so quickly across the parched forest. "Right now the firefighters are more focused on fighting fires, drawing lines. And law enforcement, to be very honest, is scrambling to get people out of there as well as do searches," Maketa said. He said firefighters have shifted from evacuation mode to search-and-rescue mode. Military officials said a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the Colorado Army National Guard and three helicopters from Fort Carson were helping firefighters. Another National Guard helicopter was on standby for search and rescue. Spreading like wildfire: Black smoke billows above flames near the south rim entrance to the Royal Gorge Bridge at County Road 3 in western Fremont County Tuesday afternoon Black forest: The Black Forest Fire was one of at least three significant wildfires burning in Colorado amid gusty winds and record-breaking hot, dry weather. The area is not far from last summer's devastating Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed 346 homes and killed two. "It's very, very reminiscent of what we experienced in Waldo Canyon," Maketa said. All of the wildfires were moving quickly, driven by record temperatures and strong winds. The conditions were making it difficult to build containment lines around the fire, and sparks jumped across them. "Weather is not working with us right now, but our guys are giving it a heck of a shot," Maketa said. There were no immediate reports of injuries in any of the fires. Containment: Lynd Fitzgerald sprays fire retardant around a house while a fire burns out of control in the background A plume of smoke from the Big Meadows Fire in Rocky Mountain National Park rises above Longs Peak, as seen from just east of Boulder on Tuesday In southern Colorado, the Bureau of Land Management said three structures have been lost in a fire on about 6 square miles near the Royal Gorge Bridge. Authorities evacuated Royal Gorge Bridge & Park. A third wildfire in southern Colorado erupted Tuesday in rural Huerfano County. The Klikus Fire had burned an estimated 45 to 50 acres west of La Veta, prompting evacuation orders for about 200 residences. The cause of those fires wasn't immediately confirmed. A fourth wildfire sparked by lightning Monday in Rocky Mountain National Park quickly grew to an estimated 300 to 400 acres Tuesday. No structures were threatened.

Several wildfires are burning across Colorado amid record heat and high winds. The Big Meadows fire is burning on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, and the Royal Gorge fire is burning in Royal Gorge Park while the Black Forest fire is burning in El Paso County. Complete coverage: Colorado wildfires 2013 1 A structure off of Herring Road burns out of control in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 2 A wall of dark smoke looms over the horizon as fire destroys the landscape looking south from Mountain Dance Drive and Open Sky Way northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. The Black Forest fire started around 1:45 p.m. in an area of the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 3 Playground equipment sits in an evacuated neighborhood as the Black Forest fire burns east of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) # 4 A structure off of Herring Road burns out of control in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 5 A structure off of Herring Road burns out of control in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 6 Aerial photos of the Black Forest Fire outside Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 12, 2013. (Photo by John Wark / Special to the Denver Post)# 7 Fires burn in structures near both ends of the Royal Gorge Bridge on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. The Royal Gorge Fire has burned about 300 acres south of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Arkansas River. (John Wark, Special to The Denver Post) # 8 Aerial photo of the Black Forest Fire outside Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 12, 2013. (Photo by John Wark, Special to the Denver Post) # 9 A DC-10 slurry bomber fights the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 10 The Black Forest fire, burning out of control, is seen along Black Forest Road looking south near Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. A wild fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 11 A goat looks curiously around as the Black Forest Fire in rages the background. The house and the three goats remained safe from the fire on June 12, 2013. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 12 Smoke filled sky obscures the sun as the Black Forest Fire advances towards Herring Road in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 13 A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 14 Fire runs along the bed of the forest near a camper off of Herring Road in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 15 A structure off of Herring Road burns out of control in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 16 Fire runs along the bed of the forest off of Herring Road in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 17 A house is fully engulfed by the Black Forest Fire. A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 18 Floyd Kerr Jr., 7, of Colorado Springs watches the smoke from Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, CO on June 8, 2013. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 19 Homeowners work aggressively, using a back hoe and an ATV with grading equipment on it, to create a fire line around their ranch just off of Black Forest Road to save it from the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 20 As their owners work aggressively to create a fire line around their ranch just off of Black Forest Road to save it from the Black Forest Fire, their horses watch attentively as smoke from the fire swirls around them on their ranch near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 21 Shaun Buhrman, of Aurora, watches the fire from a high meadow north of the fire. A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 22 Homeowners watch the fire from a high meadow north of the fire. A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 23 Katie Adamson, right, holds onto a donkey that she found wandering along the road, while her sister Heather Stanley, left, attends to their horses off of Herring Road in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 24 From right, Black Forest Fire evacuees Larry and Deborah Bowin, Rev. Jimmy Lilley, volunteers from the church and 8 foster children pray in the parking of Walmart in Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. The couple and their 8 foster children spent the night in the parking. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 25 The Black Forest fire burns east of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) # 26 Smoke from the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. According to El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa, the Black Forest Fire has already burned 80 to 100 homes. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 27 A helicopter flies overhead near the north end of the Black Forest Fire east of Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) # 28 Aerial photos of the Black Forest Fire outside Colorado Springs, CO on June12, 2013. (Photo by John Wark / Special to the Denver Post) # 29 Aerial photos of the Black Forest Fire outside Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo by John Wark / Special to the Denver Post) # 30 A man braves the smoke and heads into the fire in his pick up truck on Herring Road in the midst of the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 31 A helicopter makes a water drop on the Black Forest Fire in Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 32 Houses are obscured by smoke from the Black Forest Fire which continues to burn out of control near Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 33 Smoke filled sky obscures the sun as the Black Forest Fire advances towards Herring Road in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 34 Cars and property burn out of control along Herring Road in the midst of the Black Forest Fire northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 35 A house is fully engulfed by the Black Forest Fire. A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 36 The smoke covered Black Forest area near Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. (Photo By Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) # 37 A wild land fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Homes have already burned and the wind is expected to continue through the afternoon. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 38 Fire burns hot in the Black Forest Fire northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 39 Firefighters from Black Forest Fire Department race toward a home along Herring Road to try to save what they can during the Black Forest Fire northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 40 A home near Colorado Springs, CO is engulfed in flames as the Black Forest fire continues to burn on June 11, 2013. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) # 41 A garage is fully engulfed in flames as the Black Forest Fire continues to burn out of control northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. The fire started around 2:00 p.m. in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already burned and the fire remains out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 42 Fire burns hot in the Black Forest Fire northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. Many homes have already been lost to the raging fire that continues to burn out of control. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 43 A house burns late in the evening along Swan Road in the Black Forest northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 11, 2013. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 44 A home that was burned in the Black Forest Fire smolders in the early morning sun on Herring Road near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. Many homes and structures were burned in the area. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) # 45 A car is completely burned outside of a home along Swan Road in the Black Forest near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire continues to burn and has yet to have any containment. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 46 A blackened and charred road sign is seen along Herring Road in the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. Temperatures are expected to be in the nineties again today. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 47 A home is destroyed by the Black Forest Fire along Black Forest Road north of the town of Black Forest, CO on June 12, 2013. The Black Forest Fire continues to burn and high winds are expected throughout the rest of the day. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 48 Blackened and charred homes are seen along Herring Road in the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. Temperatures are expected to be in the nineties again today. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 49 A stuffed Garfield doll is burned on a lawn off of Cyprus road in the Black Forest near Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. The Black Forest fire continues to burn and has yet to have any containment. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 50 A road sign is seen along Herring Road in the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. Temperatures are expected to be in the nineties again today. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post) # 51 Blackened and charred homes are seen along Herring Road in the Black Forest area northeast of Colorado Springs, CO on June 12, 2013. Temperatures are expected to be in the nineties again today. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post)