Amid More Strong Wind, New Burst For Colorado’s Biggest Fire
Oct 16, 2020, 4:20 PM
(Cameron Peak Fire)
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — More strong wind is worsening the biggest wildfire in Colorado history. Officials have expanded the evacuation zone for the Cameron Peak Fire to include U.S. Highway 34 in the Big Thompson Canyon east of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Firefighters say they’ll do their best to keep the fire away from the mountain communities of Drake and Glen Haven.
The Cameron Peak Fire now exceeds 158,000 acres and surpassed the Pine Gulch and Hayman fires to become the largest fire in the history of our state. All Colorado and the world cheer on our brave firefighters in their efforts to protect population centers and contain the fire
— Jared Polis (@jaredpolis) October 15, 2020
Winds up to 70 mph are forecast through Saturday. The 260-square-mile fire set Colorado’s size record after winds Tuesday night and Wednesday morning caused it to grow by more than 40 square miles.
Firefighters are also watching a windy forecast at the Mullen Fire on the Colorado-Wyoming line.