DENVER – Containment on several of the large fires burning in Colorado grew on Thursday as some evacuations were lifted, and there was one more day of high fire danger weather forecasted for Friday ahead of a big surge of moisture that is expected to be a boon to firefighters.
There are red flag warnings in effect until 9 p.m. for most of western Colorado, including the areas where the 416 Fire and Burro Fire is burning in southwest Colorado. Winds are expected to be 10 to 20 miles per hour with gusts up to 35 miles per hour with relative humidity between 23 and 28 percent.
MAP: Here are the major wildfires currently burning in Colorado
But flash flood watches will go into effect in those same areas starting Saturday as tropical moisture moves in from the remnants of Tropical Storm Bud. Southwest Colorado is expected to get up to 1 ½ inches of rain over the next few days, and northern Colorado, where several other fires are burning, could see up to 2 inches. Beyond the weekend, the surge of moisture is expected to continue through next week and could bring up to 4 inches of rain to some parts of northeaster Colorado, according to the latest forecasts.
Here's the latest on the largest fires still burning in Colorado:
416 Fire
More residences and businesses in San Juan County were allowed back starting at noon Friday—nearly 860 in total. Some of the La Plata County residences and businesses remain under mandatory evacuation orders. In total, about 1,000 of the once-2,200 residences and businesses that had been under evacuation orders remain so as of Friday, according to La Plata County. Containment of the fire grew slightly Thursday, and there are 1,137 firefighters assigned. Gov. John Hickenlooper, Sens. Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner, and Rep. Scott Tipton were among the group of Colorado’s top lawmakers who toured the area Friday and took part in a public meeting about the fire.
In Durango today surveying the #416fire. Heard from the Incident Commander, Todd Pechota. Thanks to our firefighters for keeping Coloradans safe as they work to manage the fire. pic.twitter.com/vM6Q1yOPxQ
— Michael Bennet (@SenBennetCO) June 15, 2018
Size: 23,959 acres
Containment: 18 percent
Location: 13 miles north of Durango
Cause: Under investigation
Badger Creek Fire
The fire, which is burning just north of the Colorado border in Wyoming, has closed the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Laramie Ranger District for the time being. The fire, which started June 10, has closed several state highways in Wyoming and Colorado. There are evacuations in place for several small communities in the area.
Size: 14,960 acres
Containment: 0 percent
Location: 2 miles NW of Mountain Home, Wyo.
Cause: Under investigation
Bocco Fire
Eagle County Sheriff's Office detectives are looking for two vehicles seen in teh area just before the fire started on June 9: a blue Toyota Tacoma with a "bully bar" bumper in front and a white or silver sedan (possibly an Audi). Three people connected with those vehicles were seen shooting weapons in the area that day. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 970-328-8500.
Size: 415 acres
Containment: 50 percent
Location: 3 miles NW of Wolcott
Cause: Unknown
Buffalo Fire
Mandatory evacuations were lifted for the fire Thursday afternoon, though the areas above Twenty Grand Road remain on pre-evacuation orders. Containment of the fire had also reached 45 percent by Friday morning, and mop-up efforts continue Friday ahead of the anticipated rain.
Size: 81 acres
Containment: 45 percent
Location: West of Silverthorne
Cause: Unknown
Burro Fire
Fire line construction continued Friday on the southern and western flanks of the fire above the Bear Creek drainage, and crews were working to assess the risks to private property along the Dolores River.
Size: 3,408 acres
Containment: 0 percent
Location: 14 miles south of Rico
Cause: Under investigation
