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Firefighter's Fire Pit Identified As Likely Cause Of Colorado Wildfire
DAN ELLIOTT
Associated Press Writer
LOVELAND, Colorado - Firefighters worked to control a 925-acre (375-hectare) wildfire that destroyed at least two homes in the northern Colorado foothills as authorities said the blaze and another one that burned at least 166 homes were sparked by household fires.
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Crews were hopeful they could stop the newest fire near Loveland from damaging more houses. They attacked it quickly Monday with aircraft and hundreds of firefighters brought in to fight the week-old wildfire near Boulder.
Containment lines have been built around 20 to 25 percent of the second fire, which broke out Sunday near Loveland.
"We're making progress. It's slow progress," said Merlin Green, division chief for Loveland Fire and Rescue.
The larger fire - which scorched at least 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and has cost $8.3 million to fight - was fully contained Monday night, according to a post on the website of the Boulder Office of Emergency Management. It was most likely sparked Sept. 6 by a fire started days earlier in a pit on a lifelong area resident's property, Sheriff's Cmdr. Rich Brough said Monday.
The resident doused the fire with water and stirred the ashes to put it out but gusty winds brought the embers to life and blew them out of the pit, Brough said. The Denver Post reported earlier that authorities were looking at that possibility.
Denver's KUSA-TV reported Monday that the Four Mile Fire Department chief said the resident is a longtime volunteer firefighter with the department. Brett Haberstick, a spokesman for area fire departments, confirmed that the man investigators have been talking to is a volunteer firefighter but declined to give his name.
Brough wouldn't comment on the report, saying the department has not yet released the person's name.
Officials hope most people displaced by the blaze will be able to return to their homes by Wednesday, he said.
Meanwhile, Green said a resident burning a brush pile started the fire near Loveland. It quickly spread in the tinder dry conditions even though winds were much calmer than a week ago.
Larimer County sheriff's Maj. Justin Smith said the person who acknowledged starting the fire is cooperating with authorities.
Investigators looking at what caused each fire say they don't know if criminal charges will be filed.
On Monday, the federal team managing operations at the fire near Boulder took over operations at the fire near Loveland, which was less active than the day before but still grew. No more structures burned during the day.
Crews used four air tankers and three helicopters to battle the blaze.
A firefighter who fainted was being treated and was awake and alert, Green said.
Authorities declined to predict when the fire would be fully contained but said they didn't expect any more evacuations.
"We're hopeful of getting some people back in their homes tomorrow (Tuesday)," Smith said.
Residents within a four-mile (6.5-kilometer) radius of the Loveland fire _ an area with an estimated 200 structures _ were told to evacuate Sunday. City spokesman Andy Hiller said evacuation notification calls went to more than 1,700 phone numbers.
It was unclear how many people were out of their homes. Officials said 74 people had registered with the Red Cross at shelter in Loveland.
The fire was burning in steep, rugged hills covered with scrub brush and some cottonwood and pine trees.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Associated Press Writer
LOVELAND, Colorado - Firefighters worked to control a 925-acre (375-hectare) wildfire that destroyed at least two homes in the northern Colorado foothills as authorities said the blaze and another one that burned at least 166 homes were sparked by household fires.
Related
- Hundreds Evacuated From Colorado Wildfire Path
- Eight People Missing In Colorado Wildfire
- Retardant Drops In Colorado Wildfire Renew Environmental Questions
Crews were hopeful they could stop the newest fire near Loveland from damaging more houses. They attacked it quickly Monday with aircraft and hundreds of firefighters brought in to fight the week-old wildfire near Boulder.
Containment lines have been built around 20 to 25 percent of the second fire, which broke out Sunday near Loveland.
"We're making progress. It's slow progress," said Merlin Green, division chief for Loveland Fire and Rescue.
The larger fire - which scorched at least 10 square miles (26 square kilometers) and has cost $8.3 million to fight - was fully contained Monday night, according to a post on the website of the Boulder Office of Emergency Management. It was most likely sparked Sept. 6 by a fire started days earlier in a pit on a lifelong area resident's property, Sheriff's Cmdr. Rich Brough said Monday.
The resident doused the fire with water and stirred the ashes to put it out but gusty winds brought the embers to life and blew them out of the pit, Brough said. The Denver Post reported earlier that authorities were looking at that possibility.
Denver's KUSA-TV reported Monday that the Four Mile Fire Department chief said the resident is a longtime volunteer firefighter with the department. Brett Haberstick, a spokesman for area fire departments, confirmed that the man investigators have been talking to is a volunteer firefighter but declined to give his name.
Brough wouldn't comment on the report, saying the department has not yet released the person's name.
Officials hope most people displaced by the blaze will be able to return to their homes by Wednesday, he said.
Meanwhile, Green said a resident burning a brush pile started the fire near Loveland. It quickly spread in the tinder dry conditions even though winds were much calmer than a week ago.
Larimer County sheriff's Maj. Justin Smith said the person who acknowledged starting the fire is cooperating with authorities.
Investigators looking at what caused each fire say they don't know if criminal charges will be filed.
On Monday, the federal team managing operations at the fire near Boulder took over operations at the fire near Loveland, which was less active than the day before but still grew. No more structures burned during the day.
Crews used four air tankers and three helicopters to battle the blaze.
A firefighter who fainted was being treated and was awake and alert, Green said.
Authorities declined to predict when the fire would be fully contained but said they didn't expect any more evacuations.
"We're hopeful of getting some people back in their homes tomorrow (Tuesday)," Smith said.
Residents within a four-mile (6.5-kilometer) radius of the Loveland fire _ an area with an estimated 200 structures _ were told to evacuate Sunday. City spokesman Andy Hiller said evacuation notification calls went to more than 1,700 phone numbers.
It was unclear how many people were out of their homes. Officials said 74 people had registered with the Red Cross at shelter in Loveland.
The fire was burning in steep, rugged hills covered with scrub brush and some cottonwood and pine trees.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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