Beetle-killed trees not a factor in Lower North Fork Fire

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

A burned area within the Lower North Fork Fire perimeter. PHOTO COURTESY JEFFCO SHERIFF.

Two deaths confirmed, 23 homes destroyed

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With more than 200 firefighters and several aircraft on hand to battle the Lower North Fork Fire, Jefferson County officials said at a 4 pm. briefing they hope to start containing the 4,500 blaze Wednesday. As of late Tuesday, the fire was still classified as zero percent contained.

The JeffCo Sheriff is updating information on an emergency blog and via Twitter @jeffcosheriffco.

Officials said beetle-killed trees were not considered a factor in the fire. Jefferson County officials think the fire may have been sparked by a prescribed fire that was managed by the Colorado State Forest Service, but officials with that agency said they thought that was an unlikely scenario. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, forest fires, forests | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Air tankers arrive to battle Colorado wildfire

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Latest update: Air Force C-130s arrive to battle June 2012 wildfires in Colorado

June 24 Update on new firefighting resources

June 24 Update on Waldo Canyon Fire

Lower North Fork Fire uncontained at 4,500 acres

The Lower North Fork Fire now has a 4.500-acre footprint in Colorado’s Jefferson County.

Lower North Fork Fire. PHOTO COURTESY JEFFCO SHERIFF.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Lower North Fork Fire has grown to 4,500 acres and claimed a second life, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff, which is posting its latest updates on an emergency blog and via Twitter.

At about 1:25 p.m. a pre-evacuation order was issued to about 6,500 homes based on a spot fire about 1 mile northwest of Waterton Canyon.

The sheriff’s office confirmed the second fatality at 11:15 a.m. and also said that 16 structures have burned. As of 9:20 a.m. containment was still reported as zero, but officials said they’ve fire fighting strategy has changed from point protection to active fire suppression.

More real-time fire information is streaming via Twitter at the #LowerNorthForkFire hashtag, though the JeffCo sheriff is urging people to be cautious when retweeting posts from unofficial sources.

The fire is burning in grass, shrubs and downed pine needles, along with standing ponderosa pine forest. Heavy tree canopies combined with high temperatures and a lack of humidity are all contributing to the volatile conditions.

Hot Shot fire crews are on the way from Utah, Arizona and South Dakota and air support is also being mustered, with two National Guard helicopters en route from Buckley Air Force Base to do water drops.

As of 12 p.m., a Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and a heavy P2V airplane started dropping fire retardant over the Lower North Fork Fire Zone.

A specialized incident management team from the Great Basin Area of Montana is expected to arrive this evening to assist in the management of the incident, according to the JeffCo Sheriff.

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

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