Crews Halt Wildfire Spread in Fourmile Canyon
Firefighters have made significant progress in combating a wildfire that ignited in Fourmile Canyon, west of Boulder, Colorado. The Wild Turkey fire began on a rugged terrain on Monday night and, as of late evening, was contained to approximately 3 acres.
Fire Response and Evacuation Orders
By 6 p.m. on the same day, authorities issued an evacuation order affecting about 662 residents in the area. This decision was based on the fire’s location and potential risks posed by gusty winds, reported to range from 40 to 50 mph within the canyon.
Seth McKinney, the fire management officer with the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, provided updates, indicating that firefighters had successfully halted the spread of the flames. They are now focused on securing the fire’s perimeter and tackling any remaining hotspots.
Evacuation Map and Conditions
The Boulder Emergency Operations Center released a map showing evacuation zones, distinguishing between areas under an Evacuation Order (in red) and those under an Evacuation Warning (in orange).
- Evacuation Order: Areas in red
- Evacuation Warning: Areas in orange
Authorities plan to reassess the need for evacuation orders around midnight, although timings could change. Vinnie Montez, a spokesperson for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, emphasized the necessity of safety first. “We don’t want to send people back in until the fire crews are completely confident,” he stated.
Historical Context of Fires in the Area
This recent fire sparks concern due to a similar incident in 2010 when a fire in Fourmile Canyon devastated the area. That fire burned approximately 6,200 acres, resulted in the destruction of 169 homes, and was fueled by dry conditions and wind gusts at roughly 40 mph.
As the situation develops, firefighting efforts continue, and authorities await improvements in weather conditions. The cause of the Wild Turkey fire remains under investigation.
