Blaze set to become 2nd largest
More than a dozen wildfires burned Monday across Colorado as dozens more scorched thousands of acres across the western United States. In parts of Colorado, much needed monsoon moisture is expected to bring relief this week. The rains, however, will fuel the possibility of flash flooding in some burned-out areas.
Spring Creek fire
The fire in Costilla and Huerfano counties has burned more than 107,000 acres, putting it on course to soon take the No. 2 spot on the list of largest wildfires in state history. In 2013 the West Fork Complex fire, which was sparked by lightning, burned 109,049 acres.
An order closing a part of the San Isabel Nation Forest in Huerfano, Las Animas and Costilla counties has been lifted. Other forest closures caused by the fire remain in effect.
Over the weekend, firefighters made progress on expanding containment lines on the fire, which started on June 27 and was human caused. On Monday afternoon the fire was 70 percent contained, fire officials said.
Upcoming weather in the fire area has high temperatures topping out in the lower- to mid-80s, with relative humidities in the midteens to low 20s, a stretch of weather which should continue to help firefighters. The potential for gusty, erratic winds remains, however, along with isolated thunderstorms.
The fire is most active on its northwest perimeter, burning through mixed conifer. It is described as “moderate” elsewhere with isolated torching in some spots.
416 fire
Daily rains over the fire have allowed fire officials to release most of the firefighting resources, fire officials said Monday. Monsoon moisture is expected in the area on late Wednesday or early Thursday. Flash flood watches for the area have been posted by the National Weather Service for the area when the monsoon is forecast to arrive.
La Plata County has issued a pre-evacuation notice for 317 residences in the Tripp Creek, Dyke Canyon, Hermosa Circle and Falls Creek Ranch areas. Fire suppression repair, a series of post-fire actions taken to repair impacts to the land and minimize the potential for soil erosion in connection to fire line construction, is ongoing along the fire’s southern edge.
The fire, now more than 54,000 acres north of Durango, was 50 percent contained as of Monday afternoon. It started on June 1 and the cause is unknown.
Weston Pass fire
A community update on the fire, burning about nine miles southwest of Fairplay, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday at South Park High School. Fire officials will provide information on the fire and field questions.
The roughly 13,000 acre fire is 52 percent contained, fire officials said Monday. The fire was sparked by lightning on June 28. Three structures have been destroyed by the fire. More than 575 personnel have been working on the fire along with multiple air resources.
Lake Christine fire
The fire, burning about one mile northwest of Basalt, is just under 6,000 acres and is 31 percent contained, fire officials said.
Felony arrest warrants have been issued for a man and a woman who allegedly started the fire shooting tracer bullets, according to Eagle County District Attorney’s office. Prosecutors will seek restitution for firefighting costs, as well as the costs of three homes destroyed, including one valued at $1 million.
Smoke from the fire is expected to drift into the Roaring Fork Valley Monday night and Tuesday morning, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s office, affecting Basalt, El Jebel, Carbondale and other areas.
Red Canyon fire
The fire started Sunday about 2½ miles east of Wolcott, fire officials said. The fire on Monday was listed at 26 acres and was 30 percent contained.
Monday’s weather in the fire area was hot, dry and breezy. About 70 fire personnel are working the fire which is burning through sage, mountain shrub, grass, pinyon pine and juniper.
Evacuation orders for Red Canyon Estates were scheduled to be lifted at 6 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office.
The cause of the Red Canyon 2 Fire has not yet been determined, fire officials said. There was lighting, however, in the area when the fire broke out.