As hot and dry conditions continue, wildfires are blazing across the state taxing firefighting crews and creating air quality issues in multiple areas.
Smoke from the prompted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to issue an air quality advisory for Eagle and Summit counties, as well as southern parts of Grand County for Thursday. Winds at the sites of the Breckenridge and Gutzler fires are blowing smoke south, according to the advisory, although smoke should decrease later Thursday.
as firefighters face a test in keeping the Peak 2 fire at bay amid warm temperatures and possibly gusting winds.
Officials say while wind helped keep the blaze from burning toward the resort town and nearby homes on Wednesday, they worry the blaze could ramp up again midday Thursday and into the afternoon, causing more problems. The Peak 7 neighborhood is under a mandatory evacuation that will be reconsidered at about noon, though authorities caution they don’t know when people will be able to return to their homes. The town of Breckenridge and the Gold Hill subdivision are on a pre-evacuation notice.
In addition to the Peak 2 fire, other fires burning Thursday in Colorado include:
Gutzler fire
The Eagle County fire burning fourteen miles southwest of Kremmling had spread to 304 acres by Wednesday afternoon, according to a website monitoring state fires. Helicopters were sent in to monitor the fire and drop water on hot spots.
The Bureau of Land Management has temporarily closed the Radium campsite and boat launch due to the fire.
Grand Hogback fire
With two days of no flare ups or visible smoke, the Garfield County fire is under control, said Sheriff’s Office spokesman Walt Stowe. The fire has been 50 percent contained since Tuesday. Crews are expected to leave the fire site Thursday.
Mill Creek fire
The fire spread from 270 acres to 452 by Wednesday afternoon, but was 5 percent contained, according to the Routt County website. The fire is burning through spruce, fir and old aspen timber. There also is fire between Routt County Road 80 and Babson Road that firefighters are working to contain.
East Rim fire
The fire, 10 miles northeast of Dove Creek, doubled in size Wednesday, growing to 300 acres, according to a website tracking state fires. The blaze was 3 percent contained on Wednesday evening, with a crew of 51 firefighters working to suppress the fire.
Peekaboo fire
The fire blazing on remote land in Northwest Colorado grew to 8,000 acres on Thursday, as firefighters worked to contain its growth. The fire is five percent contained. Firefighters believe the blaze was sparked by lightning. The fire is 50 miles west of Craig on Bureau of Land Management property. No structures are threatened, but the fire is burning a few miles north of three ranches and a wildlife refuge.
Jack Queen, Summit Daily News
Flames rise above the trees as a wildfire burns near Breckenridge, Colo., on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. The fire was reported midday Wednesday and is burning in the White River National Forest.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Amy Noraka, holding daughter Sage, 3, left, and her husband Chris Noraka, with son Tyler, 6, watch as helicopters dump water on the Peak 2 fire on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
David Kish, Special to The Denver Post
The Breckenridge Fire as seen in the early afternoon on July 5, 2017.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned residents look at the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Hugh Carey, Summit Daily News
A wildfire burns near Breckenridge on Wednesday, July 5, 2017.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kori Teper and her new husband David didn't let the Peak 2 Fire, seen in the distance, get in the way of getting their wedding photos taken on the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The two had just gotten married but were evacuated from where they were staying. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Hugh Carey, Summit Daily News
A wildfire burns near Breckenridge, Colo., on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. The fire was reported midday Wednesday and is burning in the White River National Forest.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
DeAnn Brogan, right, and her husband Phil, middle and son Josh, from Fairplay, watch as helicopters dump water on the Peak 2 fire on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned residents look at the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brian Pence uses binoculars to watch the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned residents look at the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Firetrucks arrive on scene to help fight the Peak 2 fire on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Concerned residents look at the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Kori Teper and her new husband David didn't let the Peak 2 Fire, seen in the distance, get in the way of getting their wedding photos taken on the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brian Pence uses binoculars to watch the Peak 2 fire from the top of Swan Mountain Road on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge. The fire, which started shortly after noon, resulted in a mandatory evacuation for the Peak 7 neighborhood and an evacuation standby order for roughly 40 homes in the Gold Hill neighborhood. A shift in the wind is pushing the wildfire north and slowing its climb up the mountain. Eight smokejumpers and a local firefighting crew are on scene. An air attack is underway with a tanker dropping flame retardant and a helicopter conducting bucket drops. The fire broke out in the Gold Hill Trail area near Breckenridge.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
As the sun sets helicopters continue to make water dumps on the Peak 2 fire on July 5, 2017 in Breckenridge.
Jack Queen, Summit Daily News
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Flames rise above the trees as a wildfire burns near Breckenridge, Colo., on Wednesday, July 5, 2017. The fire was reported midday Wednesday and is burning in the White River National Forest.
