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 now 45 percent contained

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Evacuation orders lifted

The Hewlett Fire.

A spotfire burns along the bank of the Poudre River. PHOTO COURTESY USFS.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Firefighters made huge progress in their efforts to stop the 7,600-acre Hewlett Fire Friday, achieving 45 percent containment by the end of the day.

The human-caused fire has been burning through scattered timber and brush since May 14, at one point threatening a small subdivision, where residents were asked to evacuate. But my late Friday, all the evacuation orders were lifted and residents of the area returned home.

Conditions Friday were a contrast from the previous say, when the fire made intense uphill, runs and burned into the tree tops with torching and spotting ahead of the fire front.

By Friday, more than 500 firefighers were on hand, supported by a heavy air tanker and a smaller single-seat tanker and five helicopters. The planes were able to drop more than 8,000 gallons of retardant on the flames.

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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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Colorado: Investigators say Hewlett Fire was human-caused

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Blaze near Fort Collins grows to almost 1,000 acres

Hewlett Fire map in Poudre Canyon

The Hewlett Fire now encompasses a 982-acre footprint in Poudre Canyon.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Fire experts in Colorado now say they believe the Hewlett Fire, which has grown to almost 1,000 acres, was human-caused, though the exact source of ignition remains under investigation.

According to the latest Inciweb.org update on the fire, a firefighter suffered minor injuries and was treated and release. About 200 firefighters are involved in the suppression and control efforts. (more…)

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Colorado: Wildfire burning in Larimer County

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Bob Berwyn
  1. SUMMIT COUNTY — Firefighters are trying to get the jump on the Hewlett wildfire in Poudre Canyon, reported at 100 acres Monday afternoon. According to Inciweb, the fire is burning in open timber, brush and grass in rugged terrain.Three 20-person crews, a Type 1 helicopter, and a heavy air tanker have been ordered. Structures are located near the fire, but none are immediately threatened.

  2. schneidan
    Another Colorado summer: MT @CodyCrouch: We’re over #HewlettFire. Not seeing any structures threatened yet. http://twitpic.com/9l4sgg
    Daniel J. Schneider
    Mon, May 14 2012 17:51:45
    (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Environment, forest fires, Forest health, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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