However, the Hayden Pass Fire, which has forced the evacuation of about 100 homes, will likely burn for some time in the Sangre de Christo Wilderness where it flared up Sunday. Overnight Tuesday the fire expanded another 600 acres, casting a haze that made visibility hard. Fire crews continue to work on containment lines around Coaldale but the containment remained at zero percent.
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He believes that the sun comes up at 6 a.m. and doesn’t understand why crews are not getting into the air sooner to attack the fire.
Fire managers hope to have all homes defended against the fire in the next four days.
Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker told one group of people after the meeting had concluded that people have to be prepared to take care of themselves. While fires burned in New Mexico, Arizona and Utah, the Centennial State seemed to be spared of forest fires.
According to officials some evacuees may soon be escorted back to their homes but only temporarily to get more belongings.
Meanwhile, Debby Flowers said there has been an increased amount of traffic where they live on CR 1A and CR 69 that is not all fire related.
“This will be a long-term fire, especially in the wilderness areas”, he said.
Some road closures near the fire have been lifted, including on the Peak to Peak Highway.
The Black Ridge Fire was reported 14 miles southwest of Durango Wednesday.
The Global Super Tanker based out of Colorado Springs Airport was not part of aerial operations Wednesday. More than 440 personnel are working the fire, which remains at just under 13,000 acres. “So there is no contract with the Forest Service today”.
The BLM fire ban covers the Southern Colorado counties of Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, Huerfano, Lake, Las Animas, Park, Pueblo and Teller. Esperance is fresh off the Beaver Creek fire of last month, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service.
“We do not anticipate this fire to be over quickly”, he said Wednesday.
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A community meeting with residents and officials was held Wednesday.
