RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFire crews fight a wildfire from the air in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostWild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatens Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA Black Hawk hits right on the flames to knock down a wild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatening Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA lead aircraft flies a trail for the tanker to drop retardant on the wild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatening Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFire crews work a wildfire in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
Steve Nehf , The Denver PostFlames from the Sunshine Fire creep up a hill just west of Boulder in Sunshine Canyon Sunday morning, March 19, 2017
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostPeople gather to watch as fire crews work a wildfire in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostPeople gathering along Mapleton Ave looking into the hills at a wild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatening the Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostSara Herrin (center) with her boyfriend Marcus Niro watching helicopters knock down a wild fire in Sunshine Canyon that's threatening Boulder. "We woke up to the smell, " they said. "The patio covered in ash." March 19, 2017, Boulder.
Steve Nehf , The Denver PostA view from the overlook of the Sunshine Fire just west of Boulder in Sunshine Canyon Sunday morning, March 19, 2017
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFire crews work a wildfire in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostFirefighters heading into the hills to control a wild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatening the Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFire crews, from Denver, are on stand by as a wildfire burns in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver PostFire crews fight a wildfire from the air in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes were evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
Joe Amon, The Denver PostA tanker drops retardant on the wild fire in Sunshine Canyon threatening Boulder. March 19, 2017, Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostAn engine crew from Grand Junction Fire gets prepared to head out on the Sunshine Fire on Boulder County Open Space near Boulder Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostWildland Firefighters with the Colorado Department of Corrections from Buena Vista do mop up work and continue to monitor the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostFirefighters with West Metro Fire douse hotspots with charged hose lines to keep control of the Sunshine Fire on Boulder County Open Space near Boulder Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostBoulder police officer Kham Xiong helps direct homeowners back into their homes up Sunshine Canyon after it was closed during the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. Most residents have been allowed back to their homes.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Cox, a wildland firefighter with Grand Junction Fire, gets hoseline ready to be pulled up hill to put out hotspots on the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostSunshine Fire division chief Mike Smith, left, works on the day's plan for the Sunshine Fire with City of Boulder Wildland Operations Specialist firefighter Erin Doyle, right, while his crews continue to monitor the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Cox, in front, and Jake Long, right, wildland firefighters with Grand Junction Fire, walk along the perimeter of the Sunshine Fire to monitor for hotspots on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Cox, left, and Jake Long, right, wildland firefighters with Grand Junction Fire, walk in the interior of the Sunshine Fire to monitor for hotspots on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostMichael Cox, a wildland firefighter with Grand Junction Fire, walks along the interior of the Sunshine Fire to monitor for hotspots on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostDivision chief Mark Murray, right, with Lafayette Fire, talks to resident Samantha Nimerov and allows her back into her home after she was evacuated during the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver PostResident Samantha Nimerov was allowed to head back to her home with her dog Dyer after she was evacuated during the Sunshine Fire on March 19, 2017 in Boulder.
RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post
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Fire crews fight a wildfire from the air in Sunshine Canyon on March 19, 2017 in Boulder. More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated west of Boulder due to the fire.
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By Glen Barber | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
is now 20 percent contained, but winds that were tame earlier are gusting, and the fire is now within a mile of downtown.
“We are feeling pretty good about it right now, said Barb Halpin, a Boulder spokeswoman. “The big question we have is the winds,” which were gusting at 20 miles-per-hour at 12:50 p.m., and are expected to blow up to 40 mph.
“That could really change the dynamic.”
More than 1,000 homes have been evacuated since the fire was first reported around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management.
The fire is estimated to be as large as 106 acres in size. It is moving in a southerly direction toward downtown Boulder, and firefighters are concentrating their efforts on the fire’s southern flank.