WALDO CANYON FIRE LATEST REPORT

Incident Overview Waldo Canyon Fire Update For Immediate Release: June 28, 2012, 8 a.m. Public Information: (719) 629-7322, www.inciweb.org Fire Facts: Date started: June 23, 2012 Number of Personnel: 1,008 Location: West of Colorado Springs Crews: 27 Size: 18,500 acres Engines: 73 Percent Contained: 5% Water Tenders: 3 Estimated Containment: 7/16/12 Helicopters: 2 Type 1, 2 Type 2 and 2 Type 3 Cause: Under investigation Injuries to Date: 0 Structures threatened: 20,085 residences and 160 commercial structures Evacuees: Approx. 32, 000 Cost to Date: $3, 200, 000 Structures lost Yet to be determined Announcement: Staffed road closures will be in effect at the following locations: ·● Forest Road 320, one half mile west of Mitchell Ave. ·● Forest Road 320 at Road 300. Road 300 will remain open. ·● Hwy 24 at the El Paso/Teller County line. Today's Events: Firefighters were able to construct direct line in Sand Gulch from Hwy 24 towards Rampart Ridge Road last night. The fire grew little overnight due to favorable weather conditions. There was isolated torching of trees in the middle of the northwest portion of the fire where oak brush has not completely burned. On the south perimeter, firefighters were able to construct direct line to secure areas of fire. Direct line construction will continue today on the south perimeter to secure this area. Firefighters will continue to construct direct line in the Sand Gulch area. Structure protection will continue along Hwy 24. To the northwest of this line construction, three locations have been identified as contingencies where firefighters would be able to burn off from, if necessary, to protect the community of Woodland Park. A structure protection group will continue preparation work on the east side of Woodland Park today. Crews will work to construct line from the spot fire north of Rampart Reservoir to the southeast to tie in with the main north flank of the fire. On the East flank, the primary focus is on structure protection, improving existing line, fire control and mop-up. Firefighters will provide structure protection and initial attack along the eastern boundary of the fire. These activities and resources are being coordinated with the City of Colorado Springs and the Air Force Academy. All resources assigned within Colorado Springs City limits are under the direction of the Colorado Springs Fire Department. Structure protection will continue at Eagle Lake Camp. Firefighters are securing and holding the line from Rampart Reservoir south to Rampart Range Road. Crews will continue structure protection in Cedar Heights subdivision and construct line from the quarry north to the castle. Evacuations and Closures Currently on mandatory evacuation: Cascade, Chipita Park, Green Mountain Falls, Crystola City of Colorado Springs All areas north of Garden of the Gods Rd. between I-25 to the east all the way to the western City limits and north to the Air Force Academy. Air Force Academy Evacuated areas include all housing areas on the base except the airfield. Teller County Refer to www.co.teller.co.us US 24 Closed between Cave of the Winds and El Paso/Teller County line. Pike National Forest Order 12-08 closes the Pike National Forest in the area of the Waldo Canyon Fire as shown on map of order. Currently on Voluntary Evacuation Crystal Park, Manitou Springs Red Cross Shelters Lewis Palmer High School (1300 Higby, Monument, CO) Cheyenne Mountain High School (1200 Cresta Road, Colorado Springs, CO) Southeast YMCA (2190 Jet Wing Drive, Colorado Springs, CO) Summit Elementary School, Divide, CO Evacuees should register on www.redcross.org/safeandwell. Family and friends can check status there and also by phone at (719) 785-2724. For information on sheltering animals, please refer to this document: http://www.springsgov.com/units/communications/CompanionAnimalShelterinfforWaldoCanyonFireEvacuees.pdf ### Basic Information Incident Type Wildfire Cause Under Investigation Date of Origin Saturday June 23rd, 2012 approx. 12:00 PM Location Pike National Forest, El Paso County Incident Commander Rich Harvey Current Situation Total Personnel 1,200 Size 18,500 acres Percent Contained 5% Estimated Containment Date Monday July 16th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM Fuels Involved Brush, hardwood slash, Mountain shrub, oak, grass, Pinon pine, juniper, Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, spruce, Limber pine, White pine Fire Behavior Extreme fire behavior with extreme rates of spread and active surface fire. Increase in fire perimeter along the north and east flanks. Active crown fire with sustained runs. Fire continues to back down toward Highway 24. Significant Events Fire activity increased along the entire perimeter due to Red Flag Conditions, wind shifts and Haines Index of 6 (very high). Fire has reached the south side of Rampart Recreation Area and reservior with a burnout being conducted to protect infrastructure. Indirect line location opportunities are being assessed north of Lucky 4 Road. Incident has expanded to include Division D and X based on northwest growth of fire perimeter. An evacuation has been issued by the City of Colorado Springs for Mt Springs, Peregrine and Westwood. At approximately 4 pm the fire progressed west to east in Division Y crossing Queens Canyon and established itself on the east aspect of the Front Range. The evacuation order for Crystal Park subdivision has been lifted and residents allowed to return. Outlook Planned Actions Improve pipelone easement contingency line south of Woodland Park going east from Hwy 24 and tying into Rampart Recreation Area. Continue to hold Rampart Ridge Road to prevent fire from moving northeast and east. Continue point protection in Cedar Heights and continue structure protection along the west side of Colorado Springs. Growth Potential Extreme Terrain Difficulty Extreme Current Weather Wind Conditions 12 mph SW Temperature 93 degrees Humidity 8% UNIT INFORMATION Pike and San Isabel National Forests U.S. Forest Service 2840 Kachina Drive Pueblo, CO 81008 Links Terminology About This Site Help Disclaimer Feeds Log I