High Park Fire Update: June 17 at 11:35 AM (#HighParkFire)

Information from High Park Fire Public Information Officers at Larimer County Sheriff's Office


High Park Fire is currently at 55,050 acres with 45% containment.

Fire Behavior:

A RED FLAG WARNING has been issued for the fire area from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with wind gusts up to 50 mph expected in the Poudre Canyon Area.  With temperatures ranging from 84 to 90 degrees, it is anticipated to be the hottest day n the incident to date.  In preparation for this forecast, a significant number of fire crews have been assigned to this area and crews have been securing lines on the northern perimeter. 

There are 1,631 personnel, 103 engines, 17 helicopters working the fire today.  This includes 3 Blackhawk helicopters from the Army National Guard.  Twelve Type 1 crews have constructed fire line from the intersection of Buckhorn Road and Cougar Drive up to White Pine Mountain. Crews plan to continue this fire break to Old Flowers Forest Road 152. 

On the north end of the fire, crews are improving the line along Poudre Canyon (Hwy. 14) and are bringing the fire to the road. Spotting potential is high, especially in the Poudre Park and Little Narrows areas.  The east and southeast end of the fire is currently in patrol status and crews continue to support structure protection efforts with structure resources.

The current cost of the fire to date is now estimated at $10.8 million dollars.

The Red Cross opened an additional evacuation center at Cache la Poudre middle school, providing food and shelter for evacuees. In addition, laundry facilities have been made available at The Ranch for evacuees from 8:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. daily.
Residents worried about looting in the fire area should be reassured there is a very strong law enforcement and National Guard presence to deter any such activity.  Increased roving patrols and deployment of mobile surveillance equipment has been ordered after the arrest of Mark Maher, DOB 092481, for Impersonating a Fireman and other charges.  See a separate Larimer County Sheriff's Office press release for more details on the arrest of Mr. Maher.

Structures damaged:

Structure protection continues to be a top priority as well as reinforcing lines already built.  Officials are informing homeowners about fire damage as it becomes available and the priority is getting this information to residents first. To date, 181 homes have been verified as lost/destroyed. The following areas encompass these 181 homes:

Soldier Canyon - 1
Missile Silo Road - 1
Cloudy Pass - 1
Picnic Rock - 1
Pine Acres - 5
Stratton Park - 21
Poudre Canyon - 17
Spring Valley - 3
Old Flowers - 1
Whale Rock - 40
Paradise Park - 12
Tip Top - 2
Rist Creek - 7
Davis Ranch - 51
Laurence Creek/Redstone - 0
Buckhorn (CR44H) - Unknown
Stove Prairie Road - 10
Rist Canyon - 8

The assessment and recovery team continues their efforts to identify specific addresses of damaged or destroyed properties. 




Residents who live in areas where property damage has been confirmed can call 970-619-4086 to find out the status of their home. This phone line will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. from 5:00 p.m. until further notice and messages can be left.

Additional evacuation areas are being evaluated to determine when residents may reenter.  Factors being considered are road hazards, including falling rock and trees in the roadway.  Utility repair in areas and emergency traffic are also a factor.

Road Closure Information:

Hwy 14 (Poudre Canyon) is closed from Rustic to Gateway Park.

25E (Redstone Canyon) is closed at intersection of 38E.

CR 27 (Stove Prairie Road) from Big Bear Road to Hwy 14.

CR 44H (Buckhorn Rd) from CR27 west.

CR 52E (Rist Canyon Rd) Stove Prairie to Bellvue

CR 23 North near North Horsetooth Reservoir (South Centennial/CR23 is open)

Forest Service Rd 152 (Old Flowers Road)

Road off 74E including Many Thunders Road, Eiger Road, Green Mountain Road and Gate 1

CR63E Pingree Park Road and Crown Point Road from Hwy 14

Roads in pre-alert area south of CR74E are closed.  This includes areas south and east of McNay Hill, Hewlett Gulch
Road, Deer Meadow Way, Gordon Creek Lane and all connecting roads in that area.

Open Roads with Restricted Access:

Roads in the area of CR27 are open from Masonville to Big Bear Road to residents only. (Excludes Otter Road).

CR29C and McMurray Ranch Road.

Hwy. 14 at Highway 287 to Gateway Park - Residents Only.

Roads Open:

Red Feather Lakes Road/CR 74E

Highway 287

Weather:

For today, wind gusts up to 50 mph are expected in the Poudre Canyon with forecasted temperatures in the 90's, prompting a RED FLAG ALERT.

Additional Information:

Larimer County opened the High Park Fire Disaster Recovery Center on the Colorado State University Campus at Johnson Hall. The center is open Mon-Fri from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Parking is free for victims on the south side of the administration building. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.safety.colostate.edu.

Public information is available at the Larimer County Emergency Information line at 970-498-5500 where information officers are answering the phone, and at www.larimer.org or on Twitter @larimersheriff, or Inciweb at www.inciweb.org/incident/2904/.
Residents are reminded to receive emergency notifications on cell phones or email and should visit the website at www.leta911.org.

Julie Berney
Public Information Officer
Larimer County Sheriff's Office