FIRE UPDATE: Cloud cover gives firefighters a break
CAÑON CITY • Three helicopters taking thousands of gallons of water from the Arkansas River and three elite Hot Shot teams have helped turn the tide Tuesday on a wildfire west of Cañon City that destroyed a home.
Still, 50 residents remained in danger, and a full evacuation of homes south of U.S. Highway 50 and west of County Road 61 was still in effect Tuesday night. Residents north of U.S. 50 and north of Colorado Highway 9 were asked to remain on standby should they be required to evacuate. Power to homes in the Copper Gulch area was cut Tuesday, though homes were not threatened by fire.
U.S. 50 will remain partially closed — limited to one lane — until Wednesay, officials said Tuesday night.
The cost of the fire, which sparked Monday afternoon, was estimated at $325,000 so far.
The 700-acre Parkdale fire has destroyed a home and barn owned by the Fremont County coroner and damaged five other homes and a barn. Only one injury — to a firefighter, who was dehydrated — has been reported, but the fire forced the evacuation of homes and businesses near the Royal Gorge Park.
Clouds and lower temperatures Tuesday were a welcome relief from Monday’s blazing sun and near-100-degree temperatures.
“We used one of our silver bullets today,” said Larry Helmerick of the Fairmount Fire Protection District, referencing the cloud coverage. “I would say we are holding our own.”The fire did not grow Tuesday and was 15 percent contained at 8:30 p.m.
Overall, more than 275 people are involved in fighting the wildfire, including more than 125 firefighters, a wildland engine crew of four, and two other firefighters from Colorado Springs. Fifteen fire engines remained on the scene, and Helmerick said the battle has become more complex because of the steep terrain and the homes that are in danger.
The fire was not started by lightning, although who caused it and how haven’t been determined, officials said.
Earlier Tuesday, evacuations were lifted along U.S. 50 east of County Road 61, said Cass Cairns, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. One lane of U.S. 50, which was closed at Colorado Highway 9, was reopened Tuesday morning. All other evacuations and closures — including the Royal Gorge, Buckskin Joe and the nearby KOA campground — remain in effect.
Residents are being escorted to their homes to check on them, but not being allowed to remain, Helmerick said.
Randy Carnahan decided to evacuate around 4:30 p.m. Monday when he saw flames advancing toward his home about a mile off Colorado 9.
“Last night, all you could see was flames on that hill coming this way,” he said Tuesday, pointing across U.S. 50.
Carnahan said sheriff’s deputies arrived to warn him to evacuate just as he was driving away with a few possessions he had gathered. He spent the night at a relative’s home.Tuesday morning when he returned, a structure on the other side of U.S. 50 appeared to have been heavily damaged by the fire.
Glenda Vollmecke, who lives south of U.S. 50 next to the Fort Gorge campground, said a home about a mile away from her burned to the ground.
She and her husband spotted the fire about 2:30 p.m. Monday, and they were evacuated about 4:30 p.m. They scrambled to load belongings into two vehicles and lead out their animals, which included 20 alpacas, a llama and two goats.
“This is the first time (for a fire in the area) and hopefully the last,” she said. “It’s a horrible thing. You take what you can, but you don’t really understand. You’re like a zombie.”
She and her husband stayed at a hotel overnight, and their animals were housed on the local rodeo grounds. She and her husband are back home today but kept their animals away in case they have to evacuate again.
“We’re hoping it will abate before this afternoon, before the winds come up,” she said.The sheriff’s department says calls were made to 177 phone customers — business and residential — notifying them of evacuations. Horses and other animals have been moved out of the area.
Steve Morrisey, Fremont County Emergency Manager, said winds calmed down Monday night at a staging area for emergency crews near U.S. 50 and County Road 61.
“As of last night about 11 o’clock, it looked quiet,” Morrisey said. “But it could easily take off again.”
Fire crews will continue the battle Wednesday, when the predicted high is 81 degrees. They may get relief in the afternoon when there is a slight chance of thunderstorms.
A 4,700-acre fire is also burning east of the Great Sand Dunes National Park. No buildings are threatened, and the park is open.
Helicopters took water from Arkansas River before dumping it on hot spots Tuesday. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE
Helicopters and firefighters battled the fire Tuesday west of Cañon City. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE
Part of the fire was less than 25 yards away from U.S. Highway 50. A pilot car escorted vehicles through a portion of the highway. Photo by BRYAN OLLER, THE GAZETTE