High Park Fire: Firefighters plan to raft along Poudre River to mop up hotspots; hot fire burning moss and lichen

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

83,000-acre fire now 55 percent contained

High Park Fire Larimer County Colorado

A June 23 fire progression map shows the recently burned areas at the High Park Fire in Larimer County.

Deer in a burned area at the High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado.

Deer in a burned area at the High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado. Photo courtesy InciWeb.org. Click on the image to visit the InciWeb High Park photo gallery.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Robust fire lines at the High Park Fire in Larimer County withstood the test of 43 mph winds Monday, as firefighters stepped up containment of the 83,000-acre wildfire to 55 percent, according to the morning briefing.

Fire operations chief Kole Berriochoa said firefighters had “a very good day,” with only moderate fire activity, including torching of individual trees in the center of the fire. On the southwest corner of the fire, crews were able to connect several containment lines and create defensible space in the vicinity of Pingree Park.

But an unusual string of red flag extreme fire weather days (six in a ros) still poses a threat, as well as a forecast possibility of dry lighting storms that could potentially spark new fires.

Conditions are so hot and dry that even mosses and lichens are burning on granit rock, according to operations chief Jeff Surber.

Tuesday’s efforts will focus on line construction, mop-up and structure protection on the fire’s interior, and firefighters will try to reach otherwise inaccessible spots in Poudre Canyon using river rafts and floatation devices, led by licensed guides.

Read the full update at InciWeb.org.

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Firefighters slow northward run of High Park Fire

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Officials confirm destruction of 57 additional homes

High Park Fire, June 24.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Firefighters at the High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado said Sunday they made good progress in containing the fire’s latest surge to the north — but not before the fire destroyed an additional 57 homes in the Glacier View – Hewlett Gulch area during a furious run last Friday that burned an additional 15 square miles.

According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the 83,200-acre fire has now destroyed a total of 248 homes, the most ever affected by a single fire in Colorado. The fire grew only by about 3,000 acres during the weekend, but hundreds of residents in the area are still under evacuation orders. (more…)

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High Park Fire spreads north; more homes threatened

Posted on June 23, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Early reports suggest fire may have claimed 4 to 10 more homes

The June 22 High Park Fire map from the Larimer County Sheriff’s office.

High Park fire photo

Smoke from a spot fire flaring up near the Poudre Canyon Narrows, Friday, June 22 at the High Park Fire in Larimer County Colorado. Photo courtesy InciWeb.org. Click on the image to visit the High Park Fire InciWeb gallery.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado Friday breached an area previously thought to be mostly contained when it jumped across Poudre Canyon and made a run to the north.

Preliminary and unconfirmed reports from fire officials suggest that an additional four to 10 homes may have been destroyed by the renewed outbreak, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.

The fire became established to the north of the canyon and is threatening several subdivisions, were almost 1,000 emergency evacuation notices were issued late Friday. More red flag extreme fire weather is in the forecast for Saturday. (more…)

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Colorado: Aerial ignitions, heavy ground equipment and burnouts used to control western flank of High Park Fire

Posted on June 16, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Steep terrain, difficult access and beetle-kill creating challenges

The June 15 High Park Fire map posted by Larimer County.

A feller-buncher working in the forest. PHOTO COURTESY USFS.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY —Firefighters at the western edge of the High Park Fire will use aerial ignitions, burn-out operations and heavy equipment to remove trees from the fire’s path in their efforts to quell the fire,  protect structures and ensure firefighter safety.

The fire, sparked by lightning more than a week ago, grew by another 2,000 acres Friday, mostly on the western flank where steep terrain, where limited access, and  dense stands of beetle-killed trees are of concern to fire officials, according to the latest InciWeb.org update.The fire is reported as 20 percent contained, with more than 1,500 firefighters on-scene. (more…)

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High Park Fire grows to 52,000 acres, 15 percent contained

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Officials confirm destruction of 17 homes in Poudre Canyon area; Larimer County opening disaster recovery center

High Park Fire map June 14

High Park Fire daily progression map, June 13, 2012.

High Park Fire, aerial firefighting

A helicopter scoops water at the High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado. Click to visit the High Park Fire InciWeb photo gallery.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Firefighters continued to make progress in containing some parts of the High Park Fire in Larimer County, Colorado, but the fire grew in other areas. Up-to-date maps and daily progression maps are online at Larimer.org/HighParkFire.

Larimer County is opening a one-stop disaster recovery center, where victims of the fire will be able to receive services and get information on County, State, and CSU services. The center opens Friday (June 15) at 7 a.m. 7:00 a.m. at Johnson Hall on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins.

More updated information is online at the Larimer County Emergency Services blog. Real-time updates stream at Twitter from @LarimerSheriff and at the #HighParkFire hashtag.

Thursday, strong winds associated with a thunderstorm once again pushed the fire to the north side of Poudre Canyon, requiring a slew of new precautionary evacuations in the Glacier Park area, even as some other residents were able to return home.

Firefighters tackle a hotspot in brush at the High Park Fire, Larimer County, Colorado.

(more…)

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Colorado: Some High Park Fire evacuation orders lifted

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

46,000-acre fire reaching flammable beetle-kill stands on west flank, with good containment on the north and east sides

Summit Voice contributor Mark Newby created this map using Google Earth and associated tools. To learn more about how to use these tools to get precise and up-to-date information, click on the image.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Emergency officials lifted evacuation orders in parts of the High Park Fire Wednesday, but warned that the fire is still burning actively and spreading in several areas. The fire may well remain active until monsoon rains arrive, or even into fall, incident commander Bill Hahnenberg said during the daily fire media briefing. Details on evacuations are online at InciWeb and at the Larimer County Sheriff website.

The lightning-caused fire was reported 10 percent contained, at 46,280 acres as of Wednesday evening, with more than 1,200 firefighters on scene. About 77 percent of the fire has burned on state and private land, and only 23 percent on national forest land.

An assessment team was still compiling information on the total number and exact locations of damaged homes and other structures, Hahnenberg said, adding that it’s still dangerous for firefighters to go into some of the burned areas.

One of the biggest challenges for firefighters is on the west flank, where the fire is still burning unchecked and moving into stands of beetle-killed pines, some of them still burdened with red, dead needles that render them particularly flammable. (more…)

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Colorado: High Park Fire uncontained at 37,000 acres

Posted on June 11, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Front Range wildfire behaving unexpectedly; firefighters hope to gain a toehold on containment Monday

High Park Fire footprint and perimeter as of early Monday morning. MAP COURTESY MARK NEWBY. Click on the image to visit the map on the web. The map is based on data from an overflight at 12:20 a.m. and data released by the USFS 6:52 a.m. The fire has burned another seven hours since then, so it has likely grown even larger.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — After two days of watching the High Park fire spread and even double back on itself, firefighters late Sunday night said that with lower winds forecast Monday, they hope to at least gain a toehold against the fire which grew to 37,000 acres in just two days, according to the latest InciWeb update released Monday morning.

Get the latest updates on the fire at Larimer County emergency services website and at the InciWeb.org national fire information website. Real-time updates are also streaming on Twitter from @LarimerSheriff and at the #HighParkFire hashtag. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, forest fires, pine beetles and wildfires, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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