Colorado: Fast-moving Pine Ridge Fire cuts off I-70, threatens multiple structures and homes near Palisade

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

BLM says multiple structures threatened

*Read: Colorado Western Slope firefighting resources stretched

The Pine Ridge Fire roars down the mesa and toward the Colorado River in this June 28 photo via the BLM.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The explosive Pine Ridge Fire, burning northeast of Grand Junction, has run down to the edge of the Colorado River and Interstate 70.

The interstate is closed in both directions east of Palisade, but the good news is that firefighters were able to successfully set a backfire to protect De Beque.

In a morning announcement, the BLM said the fast-moving fire threatens multiple structures. About 50 people have been evacuated from the area, according to the BLM. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires, global warming, wildfires | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Letter: White River NF supervisor explains fire ban

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

dfh

*Read: Colorado Western Slope firefighting resources stretched

Fire Restrictions and the Recreation Experience

By Scott Fitzwilliams

The wildland fire situation is serious with several large fires burning across Colorado.  Contributing factors for this include: low snowfall winter and a dryer that normal spring; an early fire season; and fire severity indicators that surpass the conditions we experienced in 2002, the year of the Coal Seam and Haymen Fires.

For example, moisture levels in forest fuels types are very low and both relative humidity (moisture in the air) and soil moisture are extremely low.  Fire severity indicators are at historic highs. The long term forecast shows continued hot and dry weather.  Because of the mountain pine beetle epidemic [and other factors, including decades of complete fire suppression], many areas of the forest have heavy fuel loads. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires, pine beetles, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: West Slope firefighting resources are stretched

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Summit County’s fire departments fully staffed

Summit County firefighters extinguish a small wildfire between Keystone and Montezuma late March, 2012 while standing on a berm of snow, a testament to this year’s unusual fire conditions in Colorado and around the West. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

Fire danger in Summit County is between very high and extreme.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Even with firefighting crews and equipment pouring in from around the country, incident managers at major fires in Colorado are scrambling to find the resources needed to tackle new fires as they start.

“It’s safe to say we’re a little thin on the West Slope right now,” said Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue deputy chief Jeff Berino, discussing how, in his role as a regional incident commander, he’s been studying the best way to deploy firefighters to specific incidents while keeping enough personnel in reserve to respond to new calls. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: Waldo Canyon Fire toll at 349 homes

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Fire now estimated to be 15 percent contained

Waldo Canyon Fire map, June 28, 2012.

Waldo Canyon Fire, June 28, 2012.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Springs officials Thursday said the Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed a total of 347 structures when the flames raced into the city’s western suburbs Tuesday night.

Most of the destroyed homes were in the Mountain Shadows neighborhood, where firefighters stood little chance against a wall of fire driven by wind gusts of up to 65 mph.

As of Thursday evening, the fire was estimated to be about 15 percent contained at 16,750 acres. with a focus on containing spotfires north of Rampart Ridge Reservoir.

As winds abated and humidity increased Thursday, crews were able to secure the Cedar Heights area and quell the chance of house-to-house fires in areas where destroyed homes continued to smolder.

Favorable weather conditions also enabled a direct attack on the flames on all fronts. The full update is available at www.inciweb.org.

 

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Pine Ridge fire at 10,000 acres, races toward De Beque

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Large West Slope fire burning near active gas wells

*Read: Colorado Western Slope firefighting resources stretched

Pine Ridge Fire, Mesa County, Colorado.

Pine Ridge Fire, Mesa County, Colorado.

The Pine Ridge Fire burns down off the mesa toward I-70. Photo courtesy BLM.

An aerial view of the Pine Ridge Fire. Photo courtesy BLM.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Pine Ridge Fire, burning about 10 miles northeast of Grand Junction, grew rapidly Thursday, reaching an estimated 10,000 acres in size and threatening the town of De Beque, according to a late-evening update at www.inicweb.org.

Rapid growth of the fire in multiple directions prompted the Mesa County Sheriff to issue evacuation orders for for the area east of I-70, west of 45 1/2 Road, and south of U Road. An evacuation center is set up at the Palisades High School.

A Type 1 federal management team is slated to arrive at the fire Friday. According to the Bureau of Land Management, there are at least 35 active gas wells within a few miles of the fire, which has already burned past one well pad.

All of the wells in the affected area have been shut down.

The lightning-sparked fire is burning in dry pinon-juniper woodlands and sage scrub. Fire behavior is characterized as extreme, and firefighting efforts are aimed at trying to steer the fire away from developed areas. The fire is nearing I-70, prompting a closure of the highway. Several spotfires may have already been started south of I-70.

Read more about the potential dangers of wildfires in gas-well areas in this Summit Voice story.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, energy, Environment, forest fires, gas drilling, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Pine Ridge Fire burning near 35 gas wells

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Winds fanning western Colorado blaze; threatened wells have been shut down

Pine Ridge Fire, Mesa County, Colorado.

June 28, 2012 map of Pine Ridge Fire, Mesa County, Colorado.

June 28, 2012 map of Pine Ridge Fire, Mesa County, Colorado.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Federal officials said there are 35 active gas and oil wells within about five miles of the 1,500-acre Pine Ridge Fire in Mesa County, and that the fire has already burned past one well.

Fighting wildfires in an area with oil and gas development adds complexity and raises special safety issues, said BLM spokesman David Boyd.

“We know who the operators are and we call them right away,” Boyd said, explaining that the wells can be turned of from remote locations, and the wells near the Pine Ridge Fire have been shut down.

Visit the InciWeb.org Pine Ridge web page for updates. On Twitter, info on the fire is under the #PineRidgeFire hashtag. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, energy, forest fires, gas drilling, Uncategorized, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado governor requests federal disaster status

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Federal aid could bolster state efforts

A small wildfire burns at Keystone, Colorado in June 2011.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper today requested President Barack Obama to declare a federal state of disaster in Colorado due to the widespread wildfire damage in the state.

Colorado’s congressional delegation said it’s in full support of the request.

Requests for a disaster declaration by the President must be made by the Governor of the affected state. Once the declaration is made, it would make available a number of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery efforts. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, forest fires, politics, wildfires | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Flagstaff Fire 30 percent contained at 230 acres

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Threat to Boulder diminishes as firefighter gain upper hand

Flagstaff Fire Boulder Colorado

The Flagstaff Fire near Boulder, Colorado.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A massive aerial attack and targeted efforts by ground crews Wednesday helped prevent  the Flagstaff Fire from spreading toward Bouder’s western suburbs and enabled safety officials to lift pre-evacuation notices.

There has been no damage to any structures and no injuries from the fire.

The fire was held to about 230 acres with containment estimated at 30 percent. Thunderstorms also delivered some heavy rain to the area, raising the relative humidity in the vicinity of the fire.

Firefighters were able to establish secure fire lines to the west and south of the fire and using aerial drops of retardants to slow any potential advance.

Roving patrols are keeping an eye on the fire perimeter looking for spotfires.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires, wildfires | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: High Park Fire 75 percent contained

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Some firefighting resources will be re-assigned to other fires

June 27 High Park Fire map.

June 27 High Park Fire map.

Forest burned by the High Park Fire.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Even as a fire storm engulfed quiet suburban neighborhoods in Colorado Springs, firefighters at the 87,000-acre High Park Fire made gains, announcing late Wednesday that they consider the fire 75 percent contained.

Regional firefighting managers said they may soon be able to re-allocate some firefighting resources to other fires, welcome news as firefighters and equipment are stretched thin across the state.

While individual incident commanders say that they have been getting all the resources they request, regional fire officials acknowledge that, with multiple large fires, the commanders are in effect competing for resources, even as reinforcements arrive from around the country.

“We are going to help those folks out,”  High Park incident commander Beth Lund said, adding that the High Park fire will retain more than enough resources to meet challenges the fire may offer.

A forest no more.

(more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, wildfires | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Waldo Canyon Fire slows; clearing smoke shows devastation

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Hundreds of homes destroyed by intense firestorm

The Waldo Canyon Fire rages Tuesday night in the western suburbs of Colorado Springs. Photo courtesy Kevin Knebl via Facebook.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — After the Waldo Canyon Fire made an intense run Tuesday evening, the fire calmed somewhat on Wednesday, but still grew on all fronts. And as the flames dimmed on the eastern front of the fire, the worst was confirmed, as reports from overflights suggest that several hundred homes burned, mainly in the Mountain Shadows area. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, forest fires, wildfires | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

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