As high winds return, Colorado wildfires nearly out

June 19, 2000
Web posted at: 6:06 p.m. EDT (2206 GMT)

In this story: Wildfires reported in six states Spared homeowners thank firefighters New worry: erosion, flooding RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

DRAKE, Colorado (CNN) -- Two Colorado wildfires that have burned more than 21,000 acres and destroyed dozens of homes in the Rocky Mountain foothills should soon be contained, fire officials said Monday. But a fresh spell of hot, dry and windy weather threatened to challenge their optimism.

While firefighters said they hoped by late Monday to contain the Bobcat Gulch blaze, northwest of Denver, the National Weather Service issued a "Red Flag Warning," indicating conditions could exacerbate existing fires and start new ones.

MESSAGE BOARD Nature's wrath

Meanwhile, the other blaze -- the Hi Meadow fire, southwest of Denver -- was just 50 percent contained but was expected to be fully contained by Wednesday, according to the federal government's National Interagency Fire Center.

Fire officials said renewed wind might actually help fire crews by driving what remains of the Hi Meadow blaze into an area already burned by a 1996 fire, halting its advance.

Wildfires reported in six states

Cooler, damp weekend weather helped crews get the upper hand against both blazes.

At least 1,600 firefighters continued to battle the two fires, building fire lines while other crews built terraces on steep hillsides to prevent erosion.

As of Monday, the fire center listed 10 large wildfires across the United States, ranging in size from a few hundred acres to more than 28,000.

Besides the two in Colorado, blazes also were reported in California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and Florida.

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Spared homeowners thank firefighters

The Bobcat Gulch fire, near the town of Drake, Colorado, has burned 10,600 acres and destroyed 22 structures about 50 miles northwest of Denver.

The Hi Meadow fire, in the vicinity of Bailey, Colorado, has destroyed 42 structures and burned nearly 10,500 acres about 35 miles southwest of Denver.

A light afternoon rain fell at the Hi Meadow fire Sunday, but firefighters were worried that unfavorable weather could allow some spots to flare up on Monday.

"High winds and low humidities are expected (Monday), which is causing concern for areas of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter," the fire center reported on its Web site. "If this vegetation ignites and burns actively, the threat of spotting across the fireline exists."

Residents whose homes were spared in the Hi Meadow blaze have posted "Thank You" signs on lawns, roads and on cars.

One couple wanted to thank firefighters in person and were disappointed when two men dressed in fire-retardant clothing turned out to be reporters.

Michael Paulick and Leslie Myers' home is in the Pine Valley subdivision where at least 11 homes burned. Firefighters left a note: "Littleton Engine 14."

"If they hadn't been there, our house would not have been there," Myers said Sunday.

New worry: erosion, flooding

Efforts to prevent flooding from runoff from the barren landscape were set to begin in earnest Monday. A U.S. Forest Service team planned to begin meetings with residents about building erosion barriers.

Roads into neighborhoods remained open only to residents Sunday amid reports of burglaries in one devastated neighborhood, said Jefferson County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Nelson.

Plumes of smoke rose from mountains scarred by patches of blackened pine trees and brown heat-stressed trees. One house and the trees surrounding it were spared on a mountainside of charred vegetation.

"You know, right now it looks really bad, but in time it will look so much better," said Kevin Riordan, a fire spokesman. "This is the worst it will be."

A Park County sheriff's deputy, Sgt. Don Anthony, said the cause of the Hi Meadow fire remained under investigation. Fire officials originally said the fire was caused by lightning but later said the fire's origin is undetermined.

"We're investigating rumors and reports," Anthony said. "We did not find any signs of lightning where the fire started."

Authorities also identified a suspect who may have started the Bobcat Gulch fire while camping in the area. They said the 33-year-old man has retained a lawyer and refused to talk with sheriff's deputies.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

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National Weather Service
National Interagency Fire Center
  •  National Fire News - Large Wildland Fires
Jefferson County, Colorado - Hi Meadow Fire
U.S. Forestry Service
  • Bobcat Gulch Fire
  • Rocky Mountain Area Coordinating Group
American Red Cross
Colorado State Government
  • Colorado State Parks
USDA Forest Service
United States Environmental Protection Agency
  •  National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
  •  EPA's Decision on New Air Quality Standards

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