U.S. Forest Service Photo
A fire near the Colorado-Wyoming border gained momentum on Tuesday, growing to 3,800 acres.
The Beaver Creek Fire was first reported Sunday afternoon near the state border. It’s located approximately 15 miles northwest of Walden, Colo. and two miles south of the Colorado/Wyoming state line.
On Monday, the blaze was reported at about 800 acres, but a wind shift Tuesday afternoon caused the fire to grow. The blaze was driven east by the wind, and it jumped over two main roads while establishing spot fires on BLM managed Independence Mountain. The majority of the fire remains on the Routt National Forest in Northwest Jackson County, Colo.
U.S. Forest Service Photo
Approximately 120 personnel are currently fighting the blaze. Crews observed active fire behavior last night, and have continued to protect structures in the area.
Crews are preparing for expected afternoon thunderstorms, which may cause erratic winds and increase fire behavior.
The fire is burning primarily in heavy timber with a high percentage of beetle kill, and spread Tuesday as a crown fire.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered on Tuesday for Twisty Park and Pearl private and recreational residences. As of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, everyone was successfully evacuated out of the Twisty Park and Pearl areas, according to Jackson County Sheriff Gary Cure.
Notable closures in the area due to the fire include Independence Mountain, Big Creek Lakes Campground, Beaver Creek and Seven Lakes Trailheads, County Road 6W, as well as Forest Roads 80 (Hog Park Road), 600, 681, and 689. More closures are anticipated on Wednesday.
Concerned cabin owners or local residents should contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department at (970) 723-4242.
The cause of the Beaver Creek Fire is under investigation, and anyone with information on suspicious activity this past weekend in the Twisty Park area should contact USFS Officer Hannah Nadeau, 307-343-2335. The initial vehicle sought in the investigation has been cleared of suspicion.
Official information on the fire is being disseminated via Inciweb, http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4797/.