Editor's note: We're making this story free to read due to public safety concerns. But we rely on the support of subscribers to be able to do this work. Please help us by subscribing to the Coloradoan.
Cameron Peak Fire crews are working night shifts in addition to day shifts in an effort to pinch off the head of the blaze before it reaches homes in the Red Feather Lakes and Crystal Lakes.
Working at night allows crews to get closer to the fire in the "Thumb" area 7 miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes as cooler temperatures and less wind moderate fire behavior, according to the Tuesday morning incident command report.
The goal is to flank the fire by establishing direct lines on the north and south sides of the fire in the Thumb, using aerial and ground crews this week.
Cory Carlson, fire planning operations trainee, said the next several days are important in choking off the front of the fire before this weekend when "erratic, gusty winds up to 40 mph'' are forecast.
"It's going to be crucial that we make as much ground in this area as we can,'' Carlson said in Tuesday morning's video update. "Work continues up in the communities (Red Feather Lakes, Crystal Lakes and Glacier View). I can't even tell you how much work is going up there, but it's a ton.''
Fleeing the Cameron Peak Fire: 'Dear Lord, please protect us'
About 840 personnel are working the fire that remained at 104,530 acres with 15% containment Tuesday morning.
Heavy air tankers and helicopters dropped nearly 50,000 gallons of retardant and water on the most active part of the fire west of the Manhattan Road on Monday, and Carlson said another heavy dose of aerial support will be used Tuesday.
Carlson said the aerial support buys time for crews to gain access to areas of the fire where drainages make access difficult. On Monday, the fire was spotting over crews putting in a bulldozer line on the south side of the Thumb, forcing firefighters off the line.
Heavy equipment crews on the night shift extended lines on the north side of the fire along Forest Road 517.
There is a low chance of rain in the forecast for this weekend from a storm that is expected to produce outflow winds that could fan the fire.
Carlson said the rest of the fire area looks good with more containment expected in the coming days.
Air quality update
There were air quality advisories in effect Tuesday until at least 4 p.m., according to the Colorado Department of Health and Education. However, residual wildfire smoke near the Front Range will result in moderate concentrations of fine particulate matter for most locations through Tuesday afternoon. And fine particulate concentrations in the unhealthy for sensitive groups category will be possible at times west of Fort Collins and in central and western Larimer County near the Cameron Peak wildfire.
Evacuation update
The Red Cross evacuation center at Cache la Poudre Middle School has closed. Residents evacuated from mandatory evacuation areas can call 970-481-1243 for Red Cross shelter assistance.
Also, the voluntary evacuation for Glen Haven, the Glen Haven retreat, Storm Mountain and Larimer County Road 4 have been lifted.
Video: Cameron Peak Fire up close
Reporter Miles Blumhardt looks for stories that impact your life. Be it news, outdoors, sports — you name it, he wants to report it. Have a story idea? Contact him at milesblumhardt@coloradoan.com or on Twitter @MilesBlumhardt. Support his work and that of other Coloradoan journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today.
"peak" - Google News
September 22, 2020 at 11:06PM
https://ift.tt/3codWi5
Cameron Peak Fire crews pulling night shifts to put pinch on blaze - Coloradoan
"peak" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2KZvTqs
https://ift.tt/2Ywz40B
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Cameron Peak Fire crews pulling night shifts to put pinch on blaze - Coloradoan"
Post a Comment