New Zealand Local Weather Forum
Weather Discussion => International => Topic started by: JennyLeez on June 14, 2012, 11:28:27 AM
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Over 100 structures, including an undetermined number of homes, have been destroyed, and hundreds more dwellings - home to roughly 2,000 people - remain threatened by the blaze and are under evacuation orders.
The larger of the two blazes, now ranked as the third biggest on record in Colorado, has killed a woman whose remains were found in the ashes of a cabin.
further reading....... (http://www.myvictoriaonline.com/pages/13426495.php?contentType=4&contentId=10831617)
Fort Collins - More than 1 000 firefighters are making progress in containing a huge five-day-old wildfire in parched Colorado, officials said on Wednesday as blazes raged in several western US states.
The Colorado blaze, dubbed the High Park fire, has grown to 46 600 acres from 43 300 acres in the past 24 hours and was “10 percent plus” contained, the Larimer County sheriff's office said.
As well as personnel on the ground, 10 planes and 14 helicopters were also used to fight the blaze from the air.
further reading.... (http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/colorado-fire-rages-for-fifth-day-1.1318496#.T9kfTBcthrU)
An update on the radio at 11.00am NZ time states the blaze has gained speed and firefighters are struggling to gain back control. It was reported only 10% was contained.
Fire crews from other states were still being flown in to assist.
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Day 7:
Colorado wildfire - High Park Fire near Fort Collins now 54,230 acres, 15 percent containment, 112 homes destroyed, 1 dead.
Officials fear many other homes will be destroyed before the fire is under control. As of Friday night, the fire is only 20 percent contained.
The worst hit area was the Whale Rock neighborhood, according to officials, 40 homes were lost in that neighborhood.
The following is list of structures destroyed in the High Park Fire:
• Solider Canyon - 1
• Missle Silo Rd (29C) - 1
• Cloudy Pass - 1
• Picnic Rock - 1
• Pine Acres - 5
• Stratton Park - 21
• Poudre Canyon - 17
• Spring Valley - 3
• Old Flowers - 1
• Whale Rock - 40
• Paradise Park - 12
• Tip Top - 2
• Rist Creek - 7
There are now additional crews working on the 200 acre spot fire near Glacier View, for a total of 195 firefighting personnel in addition to air support.
The southwest portion of the fire did receive a little rain, but the concern remains the strong downdrafts from these incoming storms.
Hundreds of firefighters have arrived from across the United States to help local departments.
Besides the main blaze, they are also battling a 200-acre spot fire, which broke out just north of the burn area. Helicopters flew back and forth Friday, dousing the flames with water.
Complicating firefighters' efforts was a thunderstorm, which brought little rain, but kicked up strong winds, said Brett Haberstick, an incident command spokesman
Fire officials say the current cost of the fire is estimated at $7.2 million.
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