Environment

Colorado wildfires force thousands to evacuate

by Amy Judd | January 7, 2009 at 02:39 pm

389 views | 33 Recommendations | 2 comments

Two separate fires near Boulder Colorado have burned one house to the ground and have forced thousands of people to evacuate. Lake Valley Estates and Auburn Hills have been evacuated, as well as more rural areas and farms.

The first fire, at 7202 45th St. between Diagonal and North Foothills highways, was sparked just after 1 p.m. when wind gusts downed an electric transformer. About half-an-hour later, crews were called to a fire along Olde Stage Road. That blaze jumped U.S. 36 heading east toward the first fire, prompting authorities to close the highway between Broadway and Hygiene Road.

Osiris and Andrea Stevens said they decided to evacuate when they saw flames and smoke from the Old Stage fire rip down toward their home.

There has been a shelter set up at Niwot High School, but some residents don't want to go as they cannot take their pets.
The blaze that burned one house down has been contained, but there is still a risk the fire can spread further.
These fires are 'wind-whipped' as strong winds brought down power lines, starting a fire and then whipping them up to be even bigger.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

patgarcia

at 21:41 on January 7th, 2009

This is terrible!

dsarcaurora

at 19:57 on January 9th, 2009

The winds were terrible over the past few days and the temp has been warmer than normal. However, tonight things are cooling and we hope that we see some snow ... a fellow Coloradian.