Current Situation of Wildfires in Colorado
Several wildfires are currently affecting Colorado, with varying degrees of containment and impact.
Stone Canyon Fire
- Location: Near Lyons, Colorado.
- Containment: About 30% contained.
- Size and Impact: Covers nearly two-and-a-half square miles. One person has died, and at least five homes have been destroyed. Four firefighters were injured.
- Evacuations: Authorities ordered evacuations for a wide region northeast of Lyons. Some evacuation orders were lifted on Thursday.
- Response: Crews from about a dozen agencies are involved, including air drops of water and fire retardant[4].
Alexander Mountain Fire
- Location: Larimer County, west of Loveland.
- Containment: 5% contained.
- Size and Impact: The fire has grown to 9,053 acres and destroyed 24 structures, including private properties and the studio of artist Linda Renaud.
- Cause: Believed to be human-caused.
- Response: 327 personnel are working on the fire[5].
Bucktail Fire
- Location: Near Nucla in western Colorado.
- Containment: Uncontained as of Friday morning.
- Behavior: Exhibiting extreme fire behavior with high spread potential.
- Impact: No injuries or major damage reported, but heavy smoke is affecting the area. County Road 25 Mesa has been closed due to firefighting efforts[4].
Lake Shore Fire
- Location: Near Gross Reservoir in Boulder County.
- Containment: Firefighting efforts are wrapping up.
- Size and Impact: Burned seven acres. No further spread reported.
- Cause: Human-caused, under investigation[4].
Currant Creek Fire
- Location: Near Cedaredge in western Colorado.
- Containment: 56% contained.
- Size and Impact: Burned around 200 acres. Fire growth has slowed.
- Response: Currant Creek road is closed to non-residents[4].
Other Wildfires
- Oak Ridge Fire: Located in Pueblo, 89% contained, covering 1,310 acres[1].
- Other Fires: Multiple smaller fires are being tracked, including the 219 Wildfire in Garfield County and the America Wildfire in Rio Blanco County[1].
General Impact and Response
- Smoke: Heavy smoke is affecting the northern Front Range from multiple fires.
- Evacuation Centers: Arrangements have been made for both large and small animals affected by the fires.
- Firefighting Efforts: Crews are using ground teams and air drops to combat the fires, with significant resources dedicated to the larger, more active fires[4][5].
The situation is dynamic, and efforts are ongoing to contain and extinguish the fires while ensuring the safety of residents and firefighters.
To stay informed about wildfire risks and alerts in Colorado, you can utilize several resources and tools:
1. Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal
The Colorado Wildfire Risk Assessment Portal (CO-WRAP) provides comprehensive information on wildfire risk across the state. It includes tools to assess the risk in your area and offers historical data on wildfires[1][3].
2. County-Level Emergency Alerts
- Larimer County: Sign up for alerts through NOCO Alert, which sends messages to all landlines and requires cell phone users to register to receive notifications[5].
- Boulder County: Register for BOCO Alert to receive emergency notifications via text, email, or phone call[5].
- Jefferson County: Use LookoutAlert for emergency notifications. This system integrates with Smart911, allowing you to manage your preferences and receive alerts on various devices[6].
3. ReachWell App
Several counties in Colorado have integrated their emergency alert systems with the ReachWell app, which translates emergency notifications into over 130 languages. This app is particularly useful for non-English speakers and ensures that critical information is accessible to a broader audience[4].
4. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)
The CDPHE provides resources on wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery. This includes air quality summaries, smoke advisories, and public health recommendations during wildfire events[2].
5. Local Emergency Management Websites
Each county in Colorado has its own emergency management website where you can find information on current wildfire conditions, evacuation orders, and safety tips. It’s advisable to visit these websites regularly and sign up for local alerts[5].
6. Colorado Air Quality and Smoke Outlook
The CDPHE offers daily updates on air quality and smoke forecasts, which can help you stay informed about the health impacts of wildfire smoke in your area[2].
7. Social Media and News Outlets
Follow local news outlets and emergency management agencies on social media platforms for real-time updates on wildfire situations and evacuation orders.
By utilizing these resources, you can stay well-informed about wildfire risks and receive timely alerts to ensure your safety and preparedness.
Citations:
[1] https://co-pub.coloradoforestatlas.org
[2] https://cdphe.colorado.gov/topics/wildfire-preparedness-response-and-recovery
[3] https://dhsem.colorado.gov/info-center/readycolorado/colorado-hazard-information/wildfire
[4] https://coloradosun.com/2024/05/29/colorado-reachwell-app-emergency-alerts/
[5] https://www.9news.com/article/money/consumer/steve-on-your-side/colorado-wildfires-emergency-alerts/73-0b4c0148-7af1-476f-a720-d94f49d6c003
[6] https://geneseefpd.colorado.gov/lookout-alert-info-and-signup
[7] https://coloradoforestatlas.org/customers/colorado/manuals/CO-WRA_2022_Final_Report_20230724.pdf
[8] https://dhsem.colorado.gov/emergencyalert
[1] https://data.coloradoan.com/fires/
[2] http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/colorado
[3] https://www.fireweatheravalanche.org/fire/state/colorado
[4] https://www.cpr.org/2024/08/02/colorado-wildfires-coverage/
[5] https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/alexander-mountain-fire-five-percent-containment-structures-burned-colorado/
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