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More Dougco, Teller County Evacuations Lifted

Hayman Fire Now 70 Percent Contained

POSTED: 9:56 a.m. MDT June 25, 2002
UPDATED: 6:57 p.m. MDT June 25, 2002

Thousands of residents in the path of the Hayman Fire are breathing a little easier.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office lifted the mandatory evacuation order for eight communities Tuesday night. Those communities are West Creek, Y-Camp, Y-Camp Road, Rainbow Falls North, Rainbow Falls Park, Bell Rock, Thunder Butte Estates and those living along Highway 67 (Deckers areas, south to the Teller/Douglas County line).

The only Douglas County communities still evacuated because of their proximity to the fire are Trout Creek, 9-J Road, Stump Road and Thunder Butte Acres.

The only Teller County residents still evacuated are those living at Painted Rocks Road above the first cattle guard off of North Hwy 67, Teller County Road 33, Turkey Rock Ranch Estates, Lost Valley Ranch, and Wildhorn Ranch and subdivision.

The majority of evacuated residents in Teller County were allowed back in their homes Monday and Tuesday evening.

There are no communities on standby evacuation alert.

During the fire's peak, more than 8,000 people were evacuated.

The Hayman Fire is nearly 70 percent contained with just a stretch along the northwest side remaining without a strong fireline.

That flank stretches into the Lost Creek Wilderness and reportedly does not threaten any homes.

The 137,000-acre fire hasn't grown since Thursday and firefighters are slowing getting a handle on just how much damage was done.

At least 133 homes were lost in the blaze and another 466 structures were destroyed.

Roughly $22 million has already been spent fighting the Hayman Fire.

Although firefighters have tamed the once-ravenous wildfire, they aren't ready to walk away just yet.

More than 1,000 firefighters remain on the front lines, working to keep the mammoth fire knocked down and out.

Hot shot crews on the ground are now going through a phase they call "coyote."

"They don't come back to the fire camp at night. They stay with the fire, they fight it all day. They sleep right there and they get up the next morning and do it again," said fire information officer Alan Barbian. "They kind of work their way out (of the forest)."

Air assault remains critical in what is now deemed as a "mop-up" operation, 7NEWS reported.

And about 60 Colorado National Guard soldiers from Aurora have now been called up to support those fighting the Hayman Fire.

The soldiers have been assigned to Colorado Springs, Fairplay, and Buffalo Creek.

And although they won't assist firefighters directly, they will provide additional eyes and ears for law enforcement. The mission is expected to last two to three weeks.

Incident Commander Steve Frye said that the blaze should be completely contained by this weekend.

Fifth Firefighter From Van Crash Dies

A fifth firefighter on his way to battle the Hayman Fire has died as a result of injuries sustained in an accident near Parachute Friday.

Bartholomew Bailey, 20, died Monday evening.

He was among a group of firefighters from Oregon coming to Colorado when their van crashed along Interstate 70.

Four firefighters died that night.

The driver of the van faces numerous charges, including careless driving. Two other firefighters remain hospitalized in serious condition.


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