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| The '''Black Forest fire''' is an ongoing ] that began near ] and Shoup Road in ] around 1:00 PM on June 11, 2013. As of the morning of June 13, 2013 several evacuations for the area have been ordered, and at least |
The '''Black Forest fire''' is an ongoing ] that began near ] and Shoup Road in ] around 1:00 PM on June 11, 2013. As of the morning of June 13, 2013 several evacuations for the area have been ordered, and at least 360<!-- DO NOT CHANGE THIS NUMBER!!! --> structures had been lost according to '']''. The evacuation area is {{convert|94,000|acre|sqmi km2}} acres, 13,000 homes and 38,000 people. The fire has estimated to have currently burned over {{convert|15,000|acre|sqmi km2}}.<ref name="DenverPost1">{{cite web|title=Black Forest fire claims 360 homes, most ever in Colorado wildfire|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23451177/black-forest-fire-evacuation-zone-expands-winds-lightning|publisher='']''|accessdate=13 June 2013}}</ref> There have been two fatalities as a result of this fire. | ||
| Three shelters have been coordinated in the area for humans, including Elbert County Fairgrounds, which is accepting humans, pets, and large animals. Two other shelters are designated for large animals only. | Three shelters have been coordinated in the area for humans, including Elbert County Fairgrounds, which is accepting humans, pets, and large animals. Two other shelters are designated for large animals only. | ||
Revision as of 03:22, 16 June 2013
 | This article is about a current wildfire where information can change quickly or be unreliable. The latest page updates may not reflect the most up-to-date information. Please help improve this article using reliable sources or help by discussing changes on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Black Forest fire | |
|---|---|
 The smoke plume rising from the Black Forest area on June 11, 2013, the first day of the fire. | |
| Date(s) | June 11, 2013 - Currently Ongoing |
| Location | Black Forest, Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 15,700 acres (24.5 sq mi; 64 km) |
| Land use | Forest, rural, suburban |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 2 (as of 5:00 PM MDT 6/13/13) |
| Structures destroyed | 483 (as of 2:00 PM MDT 6/15/13) |
The Black Forest fire is an ongoing forest fire that began near Highway 83 and Shoup Road in Black Forest, Colorado around 1:00 PM on June 11, 2013. As of the morning of June 13, 2013 several evacuations for the area have been ordered, and at least 360 structures had been lost according to The Denver Post. The evacuation area is 94,000 acres (147 sq mi; 380 km) acres, 13,000 homes and 38,000 people. The fire has estimated to have currently burned over 15,000 acres (23 sq mi; 61 km). There have been two fatalities as a result of this fire.
Three shelters have been coordinated in the area for humans, including Elbert County Fairgrounds, which is accepting humans, pets, and large animals. Two other shelters are designated for large animals only.
The Denver Post reported (as of June 13) 457 firefighters were working the fireline, including agencies around the fire and the Colorado National Guard, as well as select personnel from fire suppression teams on Fort Carson and the nearby Air Force Academy. Governor Hickenlooper addressed Emergency Managers at the command post on June 12th. U.S. Northern Command is assisting with fire fighting efforts.
It is the most destructive fire in Colorado state history, surpassing the 2012 Waldo Canyon Fire, which also began near Colorado Springs.
June 11, 2013 (Tuesday)
Record setting heat in the region, and a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service set the stage for an explosive fire situation. In the early afternoon hours, beginning before 2:00 PM MDT, reports of a wildfire in the Black Forest area reached 911 Dispatchers. The innitial 911 call came from Gregg Cawlfield reporting a small structure. Cell phone video he captured shows the fire started as a small, localized event. The record heat and high winds quickly spread the flames to several hundred acres. The investigation is ongoing into the cause and timeline of events.
June 12, 2013 (Wednesday)
The National Weather Service in Pueblo issued notices for severe fire weather starting at 2:00 PM MDT, with low humidity, high winds, and temperatures approaching 90°F expected to drive the fire. As of 4:50 AM, the evacuation area stood at 55 square miles, with firefighters from agencies around the state of Colorado being mobilized, as well as helicopters and military aircraft.
In the afternoon hours, the fire exploded in size driven by dry winds, jumping fire lines and spreading out to the east, north, and west. Evacuation areas were expanded into Douglas and Elbert Counties, and west to Interstate 25. Some evacuation shelters were forced to evacuate due to smoke.
Firefighters experienced additional frustrations with intrusions of road closures on Highway 83, Walker Road, and Evans Road, according to scanner traffic observed by The Gazette. Also observed by reporters over the scanner were instances of news media helicopters violating closed airspace above the fire, creating hazardous situations and the potential for an air disaster.
Heavy smoke being pushed by the south/south-easterly winds covered most of the populated areas of Douglas County and well into the Denver metropolitan area.
Fire investigators confirmed that lightning has been ruled out as a cause of the fire. The investigation centers just north of Shoup Road near Darr Drive, an area with many homes in a heavily wooded area.
June 13, 2013 (Thursday)
According to Sheriff Terry Maketa, at least 360 homes have been lost, and 15,000 acres had burned as of the morning briefing. It was also released that 1,205 homes were still unaffected by the fire, and 38,000 residents had been evacuated from 13,000 homes so far. The National Weather Service predicted a third day of hot, dry, windy weather for the fire area, especially in late afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms were expected.
Already the most destructive fire in Colorado history, the fire remained at zero containment throughout the day with weather forecasts showing no natural relief in sight.
As of late Thursday morning, the fire had also severed the broadcast transmission line for 740 AM KVOR, which operates a transmitter in the evacuation zone. As a result, crews were unable to enter the area to repair the transmission line. The Gazette reports that KVOR has moved to AM 1300, a sister station.
As of 5:00 PM MDT, containment of the fire was increased to 5%, and the acreage increased to 15,700 acres (24.5 sq mi; 64 km). Sheriff Terry Maketa reported two fatalities were discovered, and the victims appeared to have died while attempting to evacuate their home.
Dry lightning and thunderstorms were also reported forming in the area, including one sparking a brief-lived sister fire north of Cripple Creek.
June 14, 2013 (Friday)
It was announced Friday morning that the number of homes burned had increased to 379, up 19 from the previous number of 360, and Friday evening the El Paso County Sheriff's office further updated this number to 419.
Firefighters were able to make some important gains Friday evening when some cloud cover and rain moved into the area, bringing containment to 30 percent Friday night.
June 15, 2013 (Saturday)
It was announced in the early morning hours of Saturday that the sheriff's office had updated some information at midnight, including the number of homes burnt rising to 473 and containment of the blaze rising to 30 percent. As of the 12:00PM press conference, the fire is reported to be 45% contained.
See also
- Royal Gorge fire, another fire in Colorado beginning on the same day
- Waldo Canyon fire, previously the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history
References
- "Black Forest Fire Has Consumed Nearly 8,000 Acres; Zero Containment". KKTV. 2013-06-11.
- ^ "Black Forest Fire - Residences" (PDF). El Paso County Sheriff's Office. 2013-06-15.
- ^ "Black Forest fire claims 360 homes, most ever in Colorado wildfire". The Denver Post. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "US Northern Command provides assistance in Colorado fires". KOAA-TV. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Video: Black Forest Fire's first 911 caller". The Denver Post. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- "LIVE UPDATES: Evacuation area enlarged as Black Forest fire races north; Sheriff Terry Maketa says 80 to 100 homes burned and fears fatalities in fire north of Colorado Springs". The Gazette. Retrieved 12 June 2013.
- "Lightning ruled out as cause of Black Forest Fire". KUSA - 9 News Denver. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
- "At least 360 homes 'complete losses' as fight resumes in Black Forest fire north of Colorado Springs". The Gazette. 2013-06-13.
- ^ Collier, Patricia (2013-06-13). "Black Forest fire claims 360 homes, most ever in Colorado wildfire". KOAA-TV. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Rzemek, Alyse (2013-06-13). "Two lives lost in Colorado's most destructive fire". KOAA-TV. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Maketa on Black Forest Fire: "Last night was a success"". KOAA-TV. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2013-06-14.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - "Firefighters make progress against Black Forest fire". Denver Post. 2013-06-14. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
- Spehar, Tony (2013-06-15). "Update on home assessments shows 473 homes destroyed in Black Forest Fire". KOAA-TV. Retrieved 2013-06-15.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
External links
- Evacuation and pre-evacuation zones hosted by Google Maps
- Another map of the evacuation areas via Google Maps Engine