Colorado wildfire update: Spring Creek fire now third largest in state history; the latest on Colorado blazes

The third-largest wildfire in Colorado’s history continued to rage through the state with little containment Thursday as several other fires spurred evacuations, canceled flights and concern over a wildfire season kicked into overdrive.

The Spring Creek fire, the third-largest in state history, has grown to more than 100,000 acres, and on Thursday a flash flood warning was posted for the fire area.

Relative humidity in the area was expected to climb up to 30 percent, up from mostly single-digit and low teen levels over the past several weeks, and the chance of thunderstorms was 70 percent Thursday afternoon and evenng, according to the National Weather Service. Overnight thunderstorms were likely, and there’s a 50 percent chance for more storms Friday.

The stubborn fire, which has been burning since June 27, has destroyed more than 250 homes. Wildfires typically lay down overnight, but the fire took a dramatic and dangerous turn Wednesday night, pulling a 180-degree turn and going on a 15,000- to 20,000-acre run, driven by 35 mph winds.

Approximately 1,500 firefighters are working on the blaze, which is 5 percent contained.

On Friday Lt. Gov. Donna Lynne will visit the Spring Creek fire area, with planned stops at La Veta High School, 11 a.m., and Huerfano County Community Center, 1 p.m.

416 FIRE

The 54,129-acre fire was 45 percent contained as of Thursday. Wet weather, showers and thunderstorms moved through the fire area Thursday. There’s another chance for wet weather Friday and Friday night.

“Fire behavior will be minimal due to precipitation and higher relative humidity,” fire officials said Thursday. As of Thursday, the fire, which started June 1, has an estimated cost of $28.9 million.

The fire continues to burn through rough and inaccessible terrain. No homes are under evacuation orders.

LAKE CHRISTINE FIRE

The fire was more than 2,700 acres Thursday, and it had destroyed at least three homes.

The Eagle County Sheriff’s Office battled rumors Thursday about ICE agents being at evacuation centers.

#LakeChristineFire Rumores de ICE (migracion) esta afuera de los refugios, esta informacion es cumpletamente falsa, Porfavor valla si necesita ayuda o contactenos para cualquier informacion o preguntas a 970-445-4911.

— Eagle County Sheriff (@EagleCountySO) July 5, 2018

“#LakeChristineFire Rumors of ICE officers outside shelters is false,” the sheriff’s office tweeted in Spanish.

County and fire officials held a community meeting Thursday night at Basalt High School.

Gov. John Hickenlooper will visit the Lake Christine fire area, as well as the Spring Creek fire area on Friday.

WESTON PASS FIRE

The fire, about nine miles southwest of Fairplay, has burned just under 13,000 acres and is 17 percent contained as of Thursday.

U.S. 285 remains closed in both directions between Fairplay and Antero Junction. There is no estimated time of reopening, and a detour has been set up using Colorado 9 and U.S. 24 through Hartsel, according to the state Department of Transportation.

A “tornadic event” had fire crews scrambling to safety Thursday, fire officials said. There were reports of uprooted trees in the fire area, but no reports of injuries. More than 525 personnel are working on the blaze.

It’s not every day you see a funnel cloud in Park County. pic.twitter.com/hx9U9oZLXj

— CSP Canon City (@CSP_CanonCity) July 6, 2018

COLORADO DIVISION OF FIRE AND PREVENTION CONTROL

The state signed a “call when needed” contract with Global SuperTanker for use of a 747 in firefighting efforts throughout the state, according to a news release.

The Colorado Springs-based Global SuperTanker is completing an approval process, which is delayed because the 747 needs a U.S. Forest Service required software addition.

WYOMING AIR NATIONAL GUARD

One Wyoming Air National Guard C-130 and crew has been activated to assist with fighting wildfires in Colorado and the region. The aircraft, which is equipped with the U.S. Forest Service’s Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System, joined the fight Thursday. The Wyoming Guard says it will be stationed out of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs for at least the next five days. The Wyoming crew joins three other C-130s that have been activated from other states.

Wildfires in the U.S.

The map shows active fire locations and all 2018 fire perimeters (not all fires have perimeter data, zoom in to see perimeters of smaller fires). To see all 2018 fire locations or to change the map background, click the map layers icon in the upper right corner of the map and click/unclick the boxes. Pinch or use buttons to zoom, or drag the map to see other areas; click a marker for details. Go to the full map and table.

Source: GeoMAC, InciWeb; map by Kevin Hamm and Daniel J. Schneider

Elizabeth Hernandez and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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