Colorado: Holding the line on the High Park Fire

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Red Flag warning for extreme fire weather continues across western Colorado

The latest daily progression map of the High Park Fire provided by Larimer County.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Firefighters at the High Park Fire faced dangerous conditions Sunday, as afternoon wind gusts of up to 60 mph grounded helicopters and drove the flames into unburned fuels within the fire perimeter.

But for the most part, crews were able to hold established fire lines to keep the fire from growing into new new areas. According to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, the fire did burn about 1,000 acres of unburned area on the southeast side of the fire in the Laurence Creek Lane and Redstone area.

With the southwest winds expected to push the fire to the northwest, many crews were reassigned to maintaining the fire lines on the north side of the fire. The fire was most active Sunday on the southeastern flank where more firefighters were redeployed.

With similar conditions expected to continue Monday, a Red Flag fire weather warning remains in effect across the western half of Colorado. (more…)

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Colorado: Red flag warning prompts Aspen-area fire ban

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Red flag fire warning in western Colorado.

Burning restricted in some other parts of the high country; Summit County mulls fire ban

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — With little relief in sight from the abnormally warm and dry spring conditions, Pitkin County this week enacted an open-ended fire ban with support from local jurisdictions. Most of western Colorado is under a red flag warning, including the valleys of Summit County.

The Pitkin County ban prohibits campfires and other outdoor burning, other than fires in permanent fire pits or fire grates, in designated campgrounds, picnic areas, or developed recreation sites. It also prohibits most smoking outdoor, as well as operating chainsaws without spark arresting devices, outdoor welding (except in cleared work areas, as well as fireworks.

In Summit County, local burn permits have been suspended.

” The Sheriff is prepared to request a fire ban from the Commissioners when there is consensus for the need,” said emergency management director Joel Cochran. (more…)

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

Arizona Wallow wildfire grows to half-million acres

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Strong winds force evacuation of Luna, New Mexico

The Wallow Fire in Arizona. PHOTO COURTESY JAYSON COIL VIA INCIWEB.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Wallow Fire, burning in east-central Arizona, is already Arizona’s largest wildfire ever and has now grown to more than half a million acres in size. Click here to visit the Wallow Fire photo gallery on Inciweb.

Overall, the fire is 44 percent contained and residents of Alpine have been allowed to return home after a long evacuation period. But strong southwest winds Saturday (June 18) pushed the fire past containment lines along Highway 180 on the east side of the fire toward Luna, New Mexico, which was being evacuated late Saturday afternoon. (more…)

Filed under: air quality, climate and weather, Colorado, Environment, forest fires, Forest health, forests, global warming, La Niña, seasons | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Weatherblog: Warm-n-windy

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Red Flag warning along Front Range, gusts up to 80 mph in the mountains

One more mountain wave cloud ...

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The snow may still be piled deep here in the high country of Colorado, but dry, warm air, combined with the potential for strong wind gusts have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a red flag warning for parts of the Front Range and extending up into foothill country just east of Summit County.

There could be a few showers Friday over the high ridges as a weak shortwave moves across the northern Rockies, bringing partly cloudy skies. Another weak trough is forecast to cross the area Sunday afternoon and evening, but in the transitional spring pattern, the forecast models are giving conflicting information, so the National Weather Service forecast is holding off on specific snowfall information for the next few days. (more…)

Filed under: avalanches, climate and weather, Colorado, snow, Summit County Colorado, Summit County snow and weather, Weatherblog | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County enacts fire ban

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Fire weather prevails in western Colorado.

Dry windy conditions lead to restrictions

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Because of extreme fire danger, a fire ban is in effect in Summit County as of Sept. 20. The ban will remain in effect as long as local officials deem that fire danger is at a high level.

The fire ban prohibits open fires, the use of fireworks, and the sale of fireworks in unincorporated areas, not including National Forest Service property. 

Fires contained within liquid-fueled, gas fueled, or charcoal fueled stoves or grills are allowed on private property. Self-contained outdoor fire bowls, chimneys, chimineas, with screen covers, are allowed on private property if placed on a concrete or asphalt surface.

Charcoal fueled fires, within permanent fire pits, are allowed on private property providing the fire is under constant supervision and fire suppression apparatus is available at the location. Notification of the fire has to provided to the local fire district and tooth Summit County Sheriff’s Office by calling the communication center at (970) 668-8600.

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Red flag warning for ‘extreme’ fire danger

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

A fed flag fire warning has been expanded to cover much of Colorado.

Gusty winds, dry thunderstorms a dangerous combination for western Colorado

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A red flag fire warning has been extended to cover Summit County and rest of the high country, with the fire danger described as very high to extreme under dry skies. Locally, the fire danger is rated as extreme, with gusty southwest winds expected to develop ahead of a cool front approaching from the northwest. Click here to read the Red Flag warning.

The approaching front could trigger a few thunderstorms, especially in the northwestern part of the state, and the National Weather Service is warning that lightning strikes outside of rain shafts could easily spark wildfires that could spread quickly given the dry conditions.

Temperatures have been hovering above average the past few days, with Sunday’s high in Frisco verging on record territory. A 3 p.m. reading of 77.8 degrees was just one degree shy of the all-time mark for the day. (more…)

Filed under: Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Weatherblog: Weekend warmup!

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Wilderness Sports sponsors the weatherblog.

A Quandary Peak pika enjoys some sunny weather recently on his rocky ledge.

Frost likely Saturday morning; local, regional fire danger ‘very high’

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A cold front passing to the north has lost its southward momentum right along the I-70 corridor, where some mid-level clouds will linger with just a slight chance of showers Friday morning until drier air moves in during the afternoon. Even though the surface front has stalled, cooler air will filter in during the day, with temperatures remaining well below yesterday’s afternoon warmth.

The forecast high Friday is just 50 degrees, well below the average for the day, which is 66 degrees. The record high for Sept. 10 is 78 degrees, set in 1917; the record low is 15 degrees, set in 1932.

It won’t be anywhere near that cold tonight, but the cold front will usher in some freezing temperatures across parts of northwest Colorado, especially in high altitude valleys with poor drainage (think Summit Cove) where the frosty air will pool and settle. In fact, lows the next several nights are forecast to linger in the low 30s, very close to average. (more…)

Filed under: Summit County Colorado, Summit County snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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