DENVER – Firefighters have made some progress toward containing wildfires that have burned hundreds of thousands of acres across Colorado.
Many of the state’s largest fires saw increases in containment over the weekend thanks in part to some much-needed moisture.
Officials also have made progress toward determining the causes of some of the fires. The Teller County Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday morning that three people, including a 17-year-old, have been charged with felony first-degree arson in connection to the High Chateau Fire, which was started by an unattended campfire, deputies said. That fire was 1,423 acres in size and 95 percent contained as of Monday.
The largest fire in the state, the Spring Fire, continues to grow, standing at more than 107,000 acres as of Monday.
MAP: Here are the major wildfires currently burning in Colorado
Here’s the latest on several of the biggest fires currently burning:
416 Fire
Size: 54,129 acres
Containment: 50 percent
Location: 13 miles north of Durango
The 416 Fire started at about 10 a.m. on June 1, 2018, approximately 10 miles north of Durango. The fire is burning on the west side of State Highway 550 on some private land and on the San Juan National Forest.
Burro Fire
Size: 4,593 acres
Containment: 50 percent
Location: Approximately 14 miles south of Rico
The Burro Fire was detected on June 8, 2018 at 3:45 p.m. near the Gold Run Trail on the Dolores Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest.
Divide Fire
Size: 19,955 acres
Containment: 80 percent
Location: Approximately 32 miles northwest of Craig
The Divide Fire started on Friday, June 29 near the town of Great Divide.Two structures have been lost since the fire started.
The fire grew over 6,000 acres from Saturday into Sunday, according to the latest acreage numbers. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is now managing the fire.
High Chateau Fire
Size: 1,423 acres
Containment: 100 percent
Location: Central Teller County
Officials announced Monday morning that three people, including a 17-year-old, have been charged with first-degree arson in connection to the fire. Investigators said an unauthorized fire left unattended started the blaze.
Lake Christine Fire
Size: 5,916 acres
Containment: 30 percent
Location: Near Basalt
The Lake Christine Fire is burning approximately one mile northwest of Basalt, Colorado. So far, three homes have been destroyed by the blaze.
Felony warrants have been issued for two people accused of starting the fire. The pair, who had originally been issued summons on fourth-degree arson charges, were shooting tracer rounds at a gun range outside of Basalt when the fire started.
Mandatory evacuations for the Lake Christine Fire on most roads within the Town of Basalt were set to be lifted beginning at 8 a.m. Monday, fire officials say. That excludes Lake Christine Road, Wilderness Road, Promontory Lane, Wild Spring Lane, Cedar Drive and Pinion Drive.
Spring Fire
Size: 107,967 acres
Containment: 77 percent
Location: 5 miles east of Fort Garland
Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
The Spring Fire east of Fort Garland in Costilla and Huerfano counties has forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 homes since last Wednesday. Officials said 132 homes have been destroyed by the Spring Fire so far. More than 2,000 homes have been evacuated since the fire began.
More than 1,000 personnel are currently working on the blaze.
As Highway 160 opens and residents enter the burned area, they should be aware that smoke and possibly some flame will be visible within the fire perimeter in coming days, fire officials said Sunday.
For current evacuee information in Huerfano County, visit www.facebook.com/HuerfanoCountyOEM or call 211 for in-state phone numbers or (719) 583-6611 for out-of-state phone numbers. For Costilla County, visit the San Luis Valley Emergency page: www.slvemergency.org or call (719) 480-8719 between the hours of 10 a.m and 3 p.m. For Las Animas County, visit the Las Animas County OEM Facebook page or call (719) 846-2993 ext. 0.
Sugarloaf Fire
Size: 1,270 acres
Containment: 20 percent
Location: About 13 miles southwest of Fraser
Cause: Lightning/natural
The Sugarloaf Fire started on Thursday, June 28, from a lightning strike near the South Fork of Darling Creek, just south of Byers Peak Wilderness.
Thornburg Fire
Size: 1,636 acres
Containment: 100%
Location: 5 miles west of Maybell
Colroado's latest wildfire was reported on Friday, July 6 at around 7:30 p.m. about five miles west of Maybell in Moffat County (northwest Colorado). About 30 structures are threatened by the fire, but none are believed to be lost or damaged.
Fire officials say the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but added lightning moved through the area shortly before the fire was reported.
Weston Pass Fire
Size: 13,091
Containment: 52 percent
Location: 9 miles southwest of Fairplay
Cause: Lightning/natural
The Park County Sheriff and CDOT have opened U.S. Highway 285 to all traffic as of 8 a.m. Saturday, July 7.
Note: This map and the data contained within are maintained by The Colorado State Emergency Operations Center and some information may be delayed. Check with your local fire district for the most updated information.
