Two wildland fires have broken out in Boulder Canyon, causing widespread evacuations, including in downtown Boulder.
The fires, currently totaling about 10 acres, started about a quarter mile west of Elephant Buttress above Dome Rock on the north side of the canyon said city of Boulder spokeswoman Sarah Huntley.
A total of 181 homes in the foothills have received reverse notification calls to evacuate.
Residences and businesses in west Boulder also have been asked to evacuate in an area bounded by Canyon Boulevard on the south, North Street on the north and Seventh Street on the east.
Officials say that about 1,700 people live in the city evacuation area. In the area, there are about 800 residents and businesses.
Boulder Community Hospital's Mapleton and Maxwell campuses are being evacuated. No patients should come to either outpatient facility.
Boulder Community Hospital's Broadway campus remains open.
Canyon Boulevard, which becomes Colo. 119 in the canyon, is closed at Ninth Street.
"As a precaution and aid to responders dealing with the Dome Fire, we are ordering a mandatory evacuation in some neighborhoods within the city," said City Manager Jane S. Brautigam. "We are asking that residents follow the directions of emergency crews now so that emergency equipment can be positioned and crews can focus on extinguishing the wildfire."
The city said firefighters are initiating a back burn operation that will result in significant power outages. Outages will occur from 28th Street to Nederland from Baseline Road and Iris Avenue in the city and Allenspark to Coal Creek in the mountains. The situation is expected to last four hours.
The fires, which started 2 miles west of the city on Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park property, are in close to one another, according to Huntley. The fires were reported about 8:45 a.m. No cause has been determined.
Currently more than two dozen firefighters from seven agencies are battling the fires which are shooting flames into the air and spreading thick white smoke over Boulder.
One air tanker is over the fire and has made a drop of fire retardant.
Huntley said that among the first residences evacuated were two homes on Anemone Road.
The Canon Road subdivision, which is at the base of Boulder Canyon, has been evacuated. Also evacuated are homes north of Sunshine Canyon to Poorman Road, which includes the Seven Hills subdivision. Knollwood subdivision is also being evacuated.
People evacuating the area are asked to go to the jury assembly room at the Boulder Judicial complex at Sixth Street and Canyon Boulevard, or to the Coors Event Center at the University of Colorado.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area until 6 p.m.
The weather service said that there will be gusty and erratic west winds with gusts up to 40 mph. Sustained winds of 20 mph are expected.
A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring or are imminent, said the weather service.
Boulder County Health has issued a health advisory. The advisory says that residents who can see or smell smoke should avoid outdoor physical activity. In particular, children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with existing respiratory conditions should stay inside with the windows ad doors closed.
Currently on scene are firefighters from Four Mile Fire Protection District, Boulder Rural, city of Boulder Fire Department, Sugarloaf, and Boulder County Sheriff fire crews, Rocky Mountain Fire and Lefthand Fire.
The Boulder Humane Society and the Boulder County Fairgrounds have been notified and are preparing for displaced animals.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Boulder Fire
news.com
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