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Deatils of Situation Update
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Forest / Wild Fire in USA on Sunday, 24 June, 2012 at 05:03 (05:03 AM) UTC.
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Sunday, 24 June, 2012 at 20:27 UTC |
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Airplanes, a fire truck and manpower have been dispatched by the U.S. Air Force to aid in fighting the Waldo Canyon fire, west of Colorado Springs. The fire has charred about 2,000 acres and displaced about 3,000 residences in unincorporated El Paso County and at zero containment. Two specially equipped C-130 military transport planes from Peterson Air Force Base — capable of dropping 3,000 gallons of fire retardant in less than five seconds — are slated to be fighting the fire by noon Monday. Another two C-130s are being sent to Peterson fromthe 153rd Airlift Wing in Cheyenne, Wyoming, according to the North American Aerospace and Defense Command. Fire departments from the 21st and 721st Civil Engineer Squadrons have also contribute a fire truck and and firefighters. "We will continue to support them in any way possible," Col. Chris Crawford, 21st Space Wing commander, said in statement. A Type 1 incident command team, the highest classification for fire disasters, was requested by local fire officials and is expected to arrive Sunday morning. About 400 firefighters are fighting the blaze, with air resources consisting of a helicopter with four helicopters on order. Two heavy air tankers and additional resources are on the way. Gov. John Hickenlooper met with fire officials and said that more than half the nation's fleet of fire-fight resources are now in Colorado.
Mandatory evacuations are in place for Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls and Chipita Park. In Manitou Springs, residents began evacuations early this morning in a process that is being implemented in several phases. Around noon the fire shifted course and evacuation notices were issued for the Cedar Heights neighborhood. Residents were told to report to the shelter at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Manitou resident Sulyn Wallace said she received a knock on her door at 2 a.m. by police telling her to evacuate. "It's just shocking, it's really scary to see the smoke this close to home," Sulyn said. She's lived in Manitou for about 20 years and has never been evacuated. Roy Byrne moved to Manitou Springs six months ago from Las Vegas. "I'm not use to this fire stuff," said Byrne. "I barely had anytime to get my belongings and get out." At a morning briefing, Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach said, "We're just really concerned about the speed at which this fire is spreading." "We're hoping that with additional federalized resources in here we can some progress on this the next couple of days," Bach said. Rep. Doug Lamborn, who was also at the briefing, said the 302nd Airlift Wing at Peterson Airforce Base is on standby. As Bach and Lamborn spoke, a plume of smoke began to lift on the ridge several miles to west. Overnight an orange haze from the fire blanketed much of Colorado Springs. Sunday's weather offers little hope in aiding to fight the fire as temperatures are slated reach the high 90s with low humidity.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office has issued evacuation notices for the south side of Highway 24. "The main objective for today is to keep the fire north of Highway 24," said Waldo Canyon Fire Public Information Officer Greg Heule. Officials with the Colorado Springs Fire Department reported flames from Waldo Canyon Fire as high as 100 ft last night, moving a half to a mile per hour. The fire began Saturday afternoon and no cause has been determined. In Teller County, arson is suspected as the cause of some wildfires. When asked about the chance arson may have been involved in the Waldo Canyon fire, Hickenlooper said: "It makes me crazy. I can't even think straight." Shelters for evacuees have been set up at Cheyenne Mountain and Woodland Park high schools. The Penrose Equestrian Center is providing shelter for large animals evacuated from the fire area.
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