Summit County Citizens Voice

An air tanker battles the Fourmile Canyon fire near Boulder. Colorado. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. FOREST SERVICE.

Exact source of ignition still under investigation

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Fire officials say they believe the Fourmile Canyon wildfire was human-caused, but they are still trying to determine the exact source of ignition.

Overall fire information is updated frequently at www.inciweb.org.

The wildfire west of Boulder has spread across about 6,300 acres and destroyed more than 130 structures, making it one of the most destructive Colorado fires in recent memory. As of Sept. 8, firefighting costs had already topped $2 million.

Fire officials issued a red flag warning for the area Thursday afternoon, anticipating that gusty winds and dry conditions could again lead to extreme fire behavior. More than 500 firefighters are at the scene and have the fire about 30 percent contained, with 75 engines, five helicopters and seven air tankers providing support. Full containment isn’t expected for another 10 days, according to U.S. Forest Service, who said the fire has high potential for growth and is burning in “extreme” terrain, with a heavy load of down and dead fuel, including beetle-killed Douglas-fir.

A hot section of the Fourmile Canyon fire burns through tree crowns near Boulder, Colorado.

Emergency officials rescinded an earlier decision to re-open some areas temporarily, saying that a changing weather forecast calling increasing winds increased the risk of unpredictable fire behavior. Visit the Boulder Office of Emergency Management online to get latest details on closures and evacuations.

Up-to-date information is streaming on Twitter from @COEmergency.

And there is huge grassroots outreach effort to help people and pets in need at #Boulderfire.

Filed under: Summit County Colorado Tagged: | Boulder fire, Colorado wildfire, Fourmile Canyon fire, Fourmile Canyon fire human caused, Summit County Colorado, Summit County News