Colorado: Updates on the other wildfires burning across the state.
Powerful, erratic winds continue to push the weekold Spring Creek wildfire through heavy forests and grasslands in south-central Colorado. The fire has destroyed at least 104 homes.
Spring Creek fire
The fire has grown to 95,739 acres, making it the third-largest wildfire in state history.
A pre-evacuation order was issued Wednesday for all residents in the area south of the Huerfano-Las Animas County line south to Las Animas County Road 42 and east to Las Animas County Road 21.7 and west to Colorado 12. Existing evacuee orders remain in place because of the fast-moving fire.
Temperatures in the upper 80s and dry conditions continue to be a major problem. Fire authorities added another 271 firefighters to the operation, bringing the total number of firefighters to 986.
Lake Christine fire
The Lake Christine fire has grown to 2,377 acres with 0 percent containment as of 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.
The blaze triggered 500 home evacuations and continues to threaten power lines feeding electricity to the Roaring Fork Valley, authorities say. So far, Eagle County Sheriff’s Office reports there have been no structures burned and no injuries.
The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office cited Allison Marcus, 22, and Richard Miller, 23, for arson charges that ignited the blaze at a shooting rage near Basalt on Tuesday.
416 fire
As of Wednesday, the 53,260-acre fire was 45 percent contained, and all La Plata County pre-evacuation orders had been lifted.
The fire is not expected to challenge the lines over the next few days, fire officials said. Durango’s forecast calls for a 20 percent chance of rain Thursday and Friday night.
Weston Pass fire
The Weston Pass fire grew by about 1,400 acres to a total of 10,727 acres on Wednesday. The fire, burning 9 miles south of Fairplay, is 5 percent contained.
“Weather today is presenting another challenging day for firefighters. … but the biggest concern is shifting wind direction behind the passage of a cold front,” according to a news release Thursday.
The lightning-caused fire began June 28.
High Chateau fire
The fire, burning in the Pike National Forest, has scorched almost 1,400 acres. As of Wednesday, the fire is 35 percent contained.
More than 400 “first responders” were working Tuesday on the fire, according to the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. The blaze is about 7 miles northwest of Cripple Creek.
Burro fire
The Burro fire is now 4,545 acres and is 40 percent contained.
The wildfire, first reported June 8, is burning in very steep terrain on both sides of Bear Creek near the Gold Run Trail. It is about 14 miles south of Rico.
The northwest side of the fire is active.