High Park Fire Update – Wednesday Morning [VIDEO]

Some progress is being made on the High Park Fire. It is now at 43,372 acres and 10% contained.  The evacuation area south of County Road 38E from Gindler Ranch Road west to Milner Ranch Road was lifted yesterday. However, new evacuations were ordered yesterday.

Evacuations

Evacuation orders were issued for the entire Pingree Park Road area, to include Hourglass and Comanche Reservoirs, east on the Buckhorn Road up to and including Pennock Pass, northeast to the intersection of Stove Prairie Road and Highway 14, and west to the intersection of Highway 14 and Pingree Park Road. All evacuated citizens may go to The McKee building at The Ranch at I-25 and Crossroads Boulevard.

Pre-evacuation alerts were sent to residents in the area south of County Road 74E, south and east of McNay Hill for residents on Hewlett Gulch Road, Deer Meadow Way, Gordon Creek Lane and connecting roadways in that area. The notice was sent in the morning and was cancelled this evening. Roads in this area are open to residents only.

Temporary closures at Horsetooth Reservoir, Horsetooth Mountain Open Space, and Eagle’s Nest Open Space have been extended through Thursday, June 14, 2012.  Updates regarding the weekend will be released by noon Wednesday, June 13, 2012, and posted at larimer.org/naturalresources .

There will be a citizens meeting at 3:00 p.m. today at the evacuation center at the Ranch at I-25 & Crossroads Boulevard.

Here is a little video of the High Park Fire that was captured by Drew Bankston from Star Painter Productions.  Thanks to Drew for providing us quality footage every day from the fire.

What Was Accomplished Yesterday?

• According to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, good progress was made yesterday with increased containment.  The structure protection group was very successful  saving numerous homes.
• The fire was very active  on the north side of the fire with some torching occurring. A 120 acre spot fire was contained. Back burning operations were conducted.
• The line on the northeast side of the fire is built and crews are assessing whether it will hold.
• Priority for the southeast and southwest flanks of the fire was building a direct line and protecting structures.
• There was lots of activity on the west side of the fire.  70% of the trees in this area have been killed by the mountain pine beetle.
• Residents who have refused to evacuate from Poudre Canyon have been hampering fire operations.  Residents are encouraged to leave the area.
• There are 634 personnel working the fire with more expected tomorrow.  37 engines were assigned to the fire today with 100 expected by tomorrow.  The cost of the fire to date is $3 million.
• There were no firefighter injuries yesterday!

Air Resources Yesterday Included:

• 5 Heavy air tankers
• 2 Lead Planes
• Air Attack Command Plane
• 5 Single engine air tankers
• 4 Type 1 heavy helicopters
• 3 Type 2 medium helicopters
• 4 Type 3 helicopter
• 3 Blackhawk helicopters from the National Guard
• In addition to the three Blackhawk helicopters, the Colorado-Wyoming National Guard is providing 50 military policemen to help man the roadblocks under the direction of the Sheriff.

Camping Reservations

Campers who have reservations at Horsetooth Reservoir for any days June 11 – June 14, 2012, should call the reservation company at 1-800-397-7795 to change or cancel.

Road Closures

1. Roads in area South of CR74E are closed. Residents only are allowed. This includes areas south and east of McNay Hill, Hewlett Fulch Road, Deer Meadow Way, Gordon Creek Lane and all connecting roads in that area.
2. Hwy 14 from Walden to Ted's Place
3. CR 27 From Hwy 14 to Masonville
4. CR 44h (Buckhorn Rd) from CR 27 west
5. CR 52e (Rist Canyon Rd) Stove Prairie to Bellvue
6. CR 25e and 54e (Redstone Canyon)
7. Cr 38e from Masonville to Harmony Rd junction with Taft Hill Rd is open only to residents who have been issued reverse notification allowing them to return to their homes.
8. Cr 23 from Jct 38E to Lodgepole Rd.

To Help or to Volunteer

Call 2-1-1 or call the Larimer County United Way at (970) 407-7066 or HelpColoradoNow.org

More information can be found at:

Public information is available at the Larimer County Emergency Information line at 970-498-5500 where Information Officers are answering the phone, and at larimer.org or on Twitter @larimersheriff, or Inciweb .

Residents can sign up to receive emergency notifications on cell phones or email at www.leta911.org .