Summit County Citizens Voice

Early reports suggest fire may have claimed 4 to 10 more homes

The June 22 High Park Fire map from the Larimer County Sheriff’s office.

Smoke from a spot fire flaring up near the Poudre Canyon Narrows, Friday, June 22 at the High Park Fire in Larimer County Colorado. Photo courtesy InciWeb.org. Click on the image to visit the High Park Fire InciWeb gallery.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado Friday breached an area previously thought to be mostly contained when it jumped across Poudre Canyon and made a run to the north.

Preliminary and unconfirmed reports from fire officials suggest that an additional four to 10 homes may have been destroyed by the renewed outbreak, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire became established to the north of the canyon and is threatening several subdivisions, were almost 1,000 emergency evacuation notices were issued late Friday. More red flag extreme fire weather is in the forecast for Saturday.

On the west flank, the fire is also still burning actively in steep, inaccessible areas with plenty of beetle-killed timber as fuel. Fire officials said they’re developing a long-term strategy to contain the fire in this area, which includes several municipal watersheds. Other potential long-term impacts to consider include  evacuations, security needs, air quality, and recreation use.

As of Friday evening, th High Park Fire was estimated at 69,543 acres with 45 percent containment.

The current cost of the fire to-date is estimated at $25.5 million dollars. Fire personnel increased to 1,879, with 18 helicopters (includes 3 Blackhawks), 11 bulldozers and 135 engines fighting the fire. Several heavy air tankers are also still available for aerial firefighting.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, US Forest Service Tagged: | Colorado, Colorado wildfires, High Park Fire, High Park fire map, High Park Fire photo, Larimer County Colorado, Poudre Canyon