ROAD OPEN TO TRAFFIC 34 W

US 34 Westbound / Eastbound County Road 29-Estes Park (Big Thompson Canyon) (Milemarker 85-65)

US 34 is OPEN west of Loveland through Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park. Safety Closures can still occur at anytime, as crews continue to contain the fire. Use caution in the area.
 

Cameron Peak Fire Update

Sunday, October 18, 2020 – 9:00 am

Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Office: 970-541-1008

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2020.cameronpeak@firenet.gov

Current Situation:

Wind aligned with terrain, low humidity and dry fuels produced extreme fire behavior on the eastern perimeter along the CR27 corridor. A 2400-acre spot fire approximately one mile east of the main fire near Buckskin Heights expanded towards Masonville. The weather and terrain on the southern edge did not align as predicted and created a backing fire that allowed firefighters to focus on structure mitigation and protection in and near the communities of Glen Haven, The Retreat, Storm Mountain, Drake, and Cedar Park. With the exception of the spot fire, the overall strategy of keeping the fire south of 44H Buckhorn Road, west of CR 27, north of CR 43 and north of US Highway 34 was attained. In anticipation of the fire advancing, crews and heavy equipment built contingency lines and focused on structure protection. 

On Saturday evening winds were reduced and humidities recovered as a pressure system came across the front range. Fire managers will take advantage of this weather change to utilize aircraft and employ aggressive fire suppression actions. Although weather conditions are expected to moderate, significant fire activity along unsecured line will continue to be a concern. Night shift received more resources and worked on the southern perimeter and spot fire protecting values at risk. 

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office is conducting structure assessments in areas affected by the fire. Information on structure damage will be released once it is safe for teams to enter the burn area and make their assessments. Notifications to homeowners will be made by the Sheriff’s Office. 

Branch I north and east of Highway 14 is in monitor status as crews continue to patrol the fire edge. Division A/D continues to be monitored and the containment has been well tested during heavy winds. Due to the low risk in this division, resources were temporarily allocated as initial attack for the new Calwood Fire start near Boulder, CO.  Division F/L/R is in patrol status. Firefighters continue to patrol the Manhattan Rd to prevent the fire from moving to the east. Hazard tree mitigation work is continuing on Highway 14. 

Branch II firefighters focused on holding fire south of the 44H Buckhorn Road. Division T crews will secure the section that burned north of 44H Buckhorn Road by building direct line with heavy equipment and tying into the old High Park fire scar. Structure protection, mitigation and assessment will continue as conditions allow.  On the east side of the fire, crews in Division V will focus on structure protection and building indirect line along the 25E Road. 

Branch III forces continue to work with local fire departments on structure assessments and point protection around the communities of Glen Haven, The Retreat, Cedar Park and Storm Mountain. The structure group is working on post fire assessments and mitigations. Additional structure engines are arriving in Division X. Firefighters were successful building dozer line and removing fuels to protect structures. Division U crews shifted to assist Division T as fire activity picked up.  Crews will focus on values at risk near the spot fire and keeping the fire west of CR27. In Divisions W and Z where the fire encroached on Rocky Mountain National Park, lookouts continue to monitor for fire spread to the south. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Red flag warnings ended Saturday evening at 8 pm. Winds reduced as a pressure system came across the front range. Sunday brings a chance of light rain/snow (less than 0.1 inches) and partly to mostly cloudy skies with moderate winds 20-30 mph over the west side of the fire. There is some relief on the eastern edge of the fire with 10-15 mph winds gusting to 20 mph.  

Evacuations and Closures: For updates, text the word LCEVAC to 888777 from your cell phone. Emergency information will be forwarded as needed. This is the best way to get information about the situation in your area. Call the Red Cross at 800-417-0495. Press #1 if you have been evacuated and need shelter.  You can also visit http://cowyredcrossblog.org/cpf/ for updates.

Larimer County evacuations and road closures: https://nocoalert.org

Arapaho Roosevelt National Forests closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/arp/alerts-notices/?aid=60887

Rocky Mountain National Park closures: https://www.nps.gov/romo/learn/fireinformation-and-regulations.html

Temporary Flight Restriction (TRF): A TFR is in place over the Cameron Peak Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Cameron Peak Fire Statistics:

Size: 203,253 acres

Containment: 62%

Total Personnel: 1,542

Location: 2 miles SW of Red Feather Lakes, CO

Reported: August 13, 2020

Cause: Under investigation

For More Information:

Fire Information Office: 970-541-1008    8 am to 8 pm

 Email: 2020.cameronpeak@firenet.gov

 InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6964

 Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CameronPeakFire/

 Larimer County Joint Info Center: (970) 980-2500

Please join us tonight, Saturday, October 17, 2020, for a Virtual Community Meeting at 7:30 pm on the Cameron Peak Fire Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/CameronPeakFire/

 Fire Officials will provide updated information and answer questions.

Cameron Peak Fire Operations Update at 1615:
The spot fire reported earlier east of CR 27 is continuing to burn south towards Masonville. The eastern flank of the main fire along CR27 is increasing in activity and pushing to the southeast. There are no reports of increase in activity around the communities of Glen Haven, The Retreat, Cedar Park and Storm Mountain.
 

The Larimer County Sheriff has ordered Voluntary evacuations for County Road 38E from Rim Rock Valley Lane to South Bay. Voluntary evacuations are advised for residents and business occupants if they are concerned for their safety, feel they need additional time to exit the area, or have health conditions that may be aggravated by this incident. You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and to prepare for mandatory evacuations. For updates, text the word LCEVAC to 888777 from your cell phone. We will communicate information to that key word as needed. To view a map of evacuations, please visit nocoalert.org. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

NEW RED CROSS SHELTER INFORMATION - please note this will be updated as the situation evolves.

If you are under a Cameron Peak Fire evacuation order and need assistance, go to the Embassy Suites- 4705 Clydesdale Pkwy, Loveland, CO 80538. Red Cross volunteers will be there to assist you.

For up to date Cameron Peak Fire Shelter information, call the Red Cross at 800-417-0495. Press #1. You can also visit http://cowyredcrossblog.org/cpf/ for updates.

Saturday, Oct 17, 3:15 pm
The Cameron Peak Fire Operations Section advises that the spot fire near Buckskin heights is to be 75 to 100 acres in size. Structures have been impacted. It is now  moving into lighter fuels.

3:15 pm, Saturday, 10/17
Cameron Peak Fire Operations section advises that the spot fire near Buckskin Heights is now estimated to be 75-100 acres. Structures have been impacted. The fire is now moving into lighter fuels.

1:30 pm, Saturday, Oct 17, Cameron Peak Fire Operations Section:

Firefighters are continuing to make progress with mitigation work to protect structures in the upper portion of The Retreat. Existing trail systems are being used where possible to create a barrier to slow the fire spread towards homes. Operations is reporting that the fire is currently backing towards Glen Haven and Storm Mountain, but is not advancing rapidly in this area at this time.

The Larimer County Sheriff has ordered mandatory evacuations for all of County Road 52E (Rist Canyon Road) from County Road 27 east to County Road 27E due to the current fire activity. Residents and business occupants should evacuate immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety, but also allows emergency crews better access to the area. For updates, text the word LCEVAC to 888777 from your cell phone. We will communicate information to that key word as needed. To view maps of the evacuations, please visit nocoalert.org. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.