Cameron Peak Fire managers anticipate increased fire activity fed by higher winds - Loveland Reporter-Herald

cicingwos.blogspot.com

While the Cameron Peak Fire has not seen any growth since exploding to 102,596 acres, crews working on the fire are expecting increased fire activity in the coming week.

But because of the progress against the fire, some evacuations could be lifted Tuesday, the Larimer County sheriff said Monday night.

According to the Cameron Peak Fire media team’s Monday morning update, with higher temperatures, low humidity and a sunny day Sunday, the snow has continued to melt rapidly and has caused fire activity to become more noticeable.

However, conditions have remained favorable for crews, allowing firefighters to continue mop-up operations and the construction of direct fire lines along the Buckhorn Road to Comanche Reservoir, Pingree Park Road and Colo. 14.

That focus carried into Monday, as crews worked on the Buckhorn Road and Comanche Lake section of the line in anticipation of the arrival of a northwesterly wind predicted for Tuesday.

During a live update and question-and-answer session Monday night, spokesman Cory Carlson said the wind will be important in making sure the fire lines are working.

“All of our lines will be tested by the winds; they always are,” Carlson said. “All it takes is an ember, and that is why we have a ton of people in there, and they are watching.”

For the next couple of weeks, the protection of structures and the building of indirect fire lines — lines not immediately at the edge of the fire — will continue near the Crystal Lakes, Red Feather Lakes and Glacier View subdivisions.

The media team said this strategy will continue, as the fire perimeter is approximately 237 miles long, covering rough country with steep slopes, downed logs, trees and snags.

Fire managers have also been successful in identifying a future fire line location in the Green Ridge area, which is referred to as the “thumb” of the fire, and crews have begun constructing direct lines in the area.

According to the morning update Monday, firefighters on the ground and helicopters with water drops were used in the area to put out hot spots.

Planning and structure assessments have continued in Estes Park, Glen Haven and the surrounding communities in preparation for potential fire growth.

Carlson expressed optimism about the fire crews’ progress.

“Everything is looking really good. … We are up to the challenge, and we are going to continue to focus on areas of concern,” he said.

Sheriff Justin Smith said Monday night that as crews have finished their damage assessment and continue to watch roadways and areas of travel, they will be lifting some mandatory evacuations.

Smith said that because of the condition of the eastern edge of the fire, at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning the voluntary evacuation on the Glacier View Meadows area will be lifted as long as nothing happens overnight.

Smith added that Colo. 14 from Stove Prairie to the fish hatchery will also move from a mandatory evacuation to a voluntary evacuation Tuesday.

Officials also will continue to monitor the Colo. 14 corridor to see what can be lifted or changed.

Monday’s full live update and question-and-answer session can be viewed on the Cameron Peak Fire website.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

"activity" - Google News
September 15, 2020 at 10:20AM
https://ift.tt/3hqWQRC

Cameron Peak Fire managers anticipate increased fire activity fed by higher winds - Loveland Reporter-Herald
"activity" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3ddCXMh
https://ift.tt/2WkO13c

Bagikan Berita Ini