Summit County Citizens Voice

 Firefighters work to hold lines at the Waldo Canyon Fire. Photo courtesy Adam Drake/InciWeb.org. Click to visit the rest of the InciWeb gallery.

Damage assessment continues

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Springs officials Friday confirmed two deaths from the Waldo Canyon Fire, as firefighters carefully approach charred, smoking rubble to try and complete an assessment of the damage.

The cause of the fire, which started June 23, is still under investigation. A string of arsons in the region has spurred suspicion that the Waldo Canyon Fire may have been intentionally set, and law enforcement agencies are seeking tips from anyone who was in the area where the fire started.

As of Saturday morning (June 30) the fire was reported as 25 percent contained, at about 17,000 acres. The fire could be fully contained by mid-July, according to the latest InciWeb.org update.

The fire continued to burn actively on the surface, with interior fuel islands still creating intense hot spots. Lower wind speeds and slightly higher humidity have helped firefighters conducting burnouts, which helps “steer” the fire and reduces the change of uncontrolled runs.

So far, 346 homes have been reported as destroyed, and 24 damaged.

Active surface fire with unassisted burning of interior islands. Isolated single and group tree torching. Conditions have been favorable for burnout to secure line construction.

Crews also continued to battle spot fires north of Rampart Reservoir, but the plan is to have those fires lined by Saturday.

For the latest evacuation area map please see www.springsgov.com.

Filed under: Colorado, forest fires, wildfires Tagged: | Colorado Springs fire, Colorado wildfires 2012, deaths in Waldo Canyon Fire, Waldo Canyon Fire