High winds fuel wildfires in Colorado, Oklahoma
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Pastor Dale Morgan
Sep 6, 2010, 10:36:21 PM9/6/10
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Perilous Times and Climate Change
High winds fuel wildfires in Colorado, Oklahoma
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 6, 2010 8:25 p.m. EDT
In Colorado's Four Mile Canyon region, 45-mph winds are helping to spread the flames of a 5,000-acre wildfire.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* NEW: 100 firefighters battling 5,000-acre Colorado fire in rugged terrain
* At least one home was destroyed in the northwest Oklahoma fire
* About 200 homes are evacuated in Colorado
* 40- and 45-mph winds have been causing the fires to spread rapidly
(CNN) -- High winds helped fuel fast-moving wildfires in Colorado and Oklahoma on Monday, prompting evacuations in both states, officials said.
At least one home was destroyed in the 300-acre blaze in Woodward County, Oklahoma. Emergency officials have been responding to as many as five wildfires in the area since Sunday evening, when 40-mph winds began whipping through the region, said Matt Lehenbauer, director of emergency management for the county.
At least one firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, Lehenbauer said. No other injuries were reported.
The fire, near Fort Supply Lake in northwestern Oklahoma, began at 10 a.m. and was 90 percent contained Monday afternoon, Lehenbauer said.
Authorities believe embers from a campfire sparked the blaze. About 30 homes and 120 campsites were evacuated. Firefighters were also working a 1,200-acre blaze on the east side of the county, believed to be started by arcing utility lines, Lehenbauer said.
Also Monday, a 5,000-acre wildfire in Colorado's Four Mile Canyon area spread quickly through the highly populated region due to 45-mph wind gusts, according to Cmdr. Rick Brough of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
The winds also grounded two air tankers, making containing the blaze more difficult, he said.
About 200 homes were evacuated Monday, Brough said. He confirmed that structures have been lost to the fire, though he did not know how many.
The fire was moving northeast and causing nearby roads to be shut down, Brough said, adding that officials were working to get firefighters into the area to contain the blaze.
About 100 firefighters were fighting the blaze, with an additional 75 in a staging area.
Firefighters are working in a "very rugged, steep area" that's difficult to access, adding to the challenge, Brough said.
Efforts are focused on protecting homes and other structures rather than containment, he said.
Brough said it could take several days before the fire is contained.
CNN's Dave Alsup and Erica Henry contributed to this report.
High winds fuel wildfires in Colorado, Oklahoma
By the CNN Wire Staff
September 6, 2010 8:25 p.m. EDT
In Colorado's Four Mile Canyon region, 45-mph winds are helping to spread the flames of a 5,000-acre wildfire.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
* NEW: 100 firefighters battling 5,000-acre Colorado fire in rugged terrain
* At least one home was destroyed in the northwest Oklahoma fire
* About 200 homes are evacuated in Colorado
* 40- and 45-mph winds have been causing the fires to spread rapidly
(CNN) -- High winds helped fuel fast-moving wildfires in Colorado and Oklahoma on Monday, prompting evacuations in both states, officials said.
At least one home was destroyed in the 300-acre blaze in Woodward County, Oklahoma. Emergency officials have been responding to as many as five wildfires in the area since Sunday evening, when 40-mph winds began whipping through the region, said Matt Lehenbauer, director of emergency management for the county.
At least one firefighter suffered heat exhaustion, Lehenbauer said. No other injuries were reported.
The fire, near Fort Supply Lake in northwestern Oklahoma, began at 10 a.m. and was 90 percent contained Monday afternoon, Lehenbauer said.
Authorities believe embers from a campfire sparked the blaze. About 30 homes and 120 campsites were evacuated. Firefighters were also working a 1,200-acre blaze on the east side of the county, believed to be started by arcing utility lines, Lehenbauer said.
Also Monday, a 5,000-acre wildfire in Colorado's Four Mile Canyon area spread quickly through the highly populated region due to 45-mph wind gusts, according to Cmdr. Rick Brough of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
The winds also grounded two air tankers, making containing the blaze more difficult, he said.
About 200 homes were evacuated Monday, Brough said. He confirmed that structures have been lost to the fire, though he did not know how many.
The fire was moving northeast and causing nearby roads to be shut down, Brough said, adding that officials were working to get firefighters into the area to contain the blaze.
About 100 firefighters were fighting the blaze, with an additional 75 in a staging area.
Firefighters are working in a "very rugged, steep area" that's difficult to access, adding to the challenge, Brough said.
Efforts are focused on protecting homes and other structures rather than containment, he said.
Brough said it could take several days before the fire is contained.
CNN's Dave Alsup and Erica Henry contributed to this report.
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