Colorado: Hewlett Fire is down, but not completely out

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Residual smoke from the Hewlett Fire on a steep hillside near Poudre Canyon.

Rain helps firefighters reach 85 percent containment

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Cool and wet weather Saturday helped firefighters take a bit bite out of the Hewlett Fire, which is reported as 85 percent contained.

According to the latest Inciweb update, a half inch of rain doused the area, helping to suppress flames and moisten potential fuels, but heat will continue to hold in the heavy down logs and stump holes. Fine dead fuel moisture will start to dry out Sunday as the humidity decreases and the sun starts to raise fuel temperatures.

Detailed info for area residents is online at this Larimer County website. (more…)

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Colorado: Hewlett Fire grows, but some evacuations lifted

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Potential for more growth still high, but cooler weather, and maybe some showers, on the way

Hewlett Fire Map Colorado

The Hewlett Fire has spread across about 7,300 acres.

Hewlett Fire Colorado.

The Hewlett Fire from 287 at The Forks. Click for more images.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Hewlett Fire took another 2,000-acre bite out of the Front Range Thursday, growing from just more than 5,000 acres in the morning to about 7,300 acres by the end of the day, when firefighting agencies gave their final briefing.

But despite the overall growth in size, firefighters did make progress in containing the blaze, especially on the fire’s east flank, along the North Fork of the Poudre River from Seaman Reservoir to Long Draw. As a result, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office lifted the mandatory evacuation order for 65 homes in the area of Bonner Springs Ranch Road, Deer Valley Road, Obenchain Road, Ingleside Road.

The mandatory evacuation for the 15 homes along Highway 14 from the Greyrock Trailhead to the North Poudre diversion dam (approx. mile markers 113 to 115) is still in effect.

The human-caused fire is about 5 percent contained, though the potential for additional growth remains high.

About 400 personnel are fighting the fire and more firefighters are on the way, along with two heavy air tankers, one heavy helicopter, and one light helicopter.

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Colorado: Hewlett Fire grows to 5,000 acres

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Edge of wildfire nears residential areas, reservoir

The Hewlett Fire has grown to 5,000 acres and moved within a mile of subdivisions and Seaman Reservoir, west of Fort Collins in Poudre Canyon.

The Hewlett Fire from Red Feather Lakes Road, PHOTO COURTESY INCIWEB.ORG. Click for more images.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Shifting winds in the rugged Front Range canyon country west of Fort Collins continued to fuel the Hewlett Fire, which has grown to more than 5,000 acres, according to an early morning update at Inciweb.org.

Photos of the fire are also online at this Inciweb page.

Additional alerts for possible evacuations have been issued by Larimer County, as the human-caused fire moved to within a half mile of the southeast corner of Glacier View subdivision, The fire remains to the west of the North Fork of the Poudre River and north of Highway 14.

Details on alerts, health warnings and other local information are online at the Larimer County emergency services website. (more…)

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