The Beaver Creek wildfire grew by 700 acres to about 6,235 acres over the weekend as wind shifts and dry conditions pushed the blaze beyond prior boundaries on the east, west and south sides, authorities said Monday morning.
Firefighters attached to fire-engine units focused on spot fires and preserving homes and sheds, according to an update by the U.S. Forest Service.
They also took advantage of a wind shift that pushed the fire back on itself on the west side of the wildfire.
The fire slowly advanced to the south, where firefighters focused on defending homes and other structures, said Madelyn Dillon, spokeswoman for the Beaver Creek fire. She said Monday the fire advanced only about 700 acres over the weekend.
Officials anticipated that downslope winds overnight would push the fire beyond current boundaries.The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office announced that two outbuildings were lost in the fire, according to a report late Sunday night. No residential homes within or near the fire perimeter have been lost.
“They’re on it, and they are doing an excellent job,” Dillon said of the 485 firefighters and support staff on the fire.
Firefighters continue to use indirect tactics in fighting the fire like cutting trees and burning fuel in advance of the fire because there is too much fuel and the winds are erratic, she said.
For information regarding structure damage or loss residents can call the sheriff’s office at 970-723-4242.
Evacuation orders and closures remain in place because of hazardous conditions near the fire perimeter.
The latest estimate indicates the fire, burning in timber and brush mostly in the Routt National Forest on Independence Mountain, is only 5 percent contained.
The cause of the wildfire, first reported northwest of Walden on June 19, is still under investigation.