A shower of embers from the Lake Christine fire ignited and destroyed three homes early Thursday morning as the fire has grown to more than 2,700 acres in size.
“Local crews worked all night long, performing firing operations and protecting over a hundred homes,” according to an Eagle County Sheriff’s tweet. “Unfortunately, three homes were destroyed during the extreme fire behavior and prolific ember shower.”
The fire grew so fast that fire crews have been unable to provide an accurate size estimate.
Higher humidity expected Thursday should improve fire-fighting conditions.
“Crews are continuing to patrol and engage the fire today, as well as assessing the private property and infrastructure values,” the sheriff’s office tweeted Thursday.
The blaze has triggered 500 home evacuations and continues to threaten power lines feeding electricity to the Roaring Fork Valley, authorities say.
The numerous power lines above Lake Christine State Wildlife Area are making the firefighting efforts at the Lake Christine fire extremely difficult. The fire sheered off some electrical poles, making it unsafe for ground crews. The power lines also make air and slurry drops tough.
Two El Jebel residents allegedly ignited the wildfire at a shooting range near Lake Christine around 6 p.m. on Tuesday by using tracer rounds in violation of a fire ban, Eagle County Sheriff James Van Beek. Alison Marcus, 22, and Richard Miller, 23, have each been cited on misdemeanor counts of arson, Van Beek said.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Members of the Craig Hotshots return to their crew cabs after a long day of fighting the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
The glow of the Weston Pass fire can be seen from Highway 9 on July 2, 2018 in Fairplay Colorado.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Members of the Craig Hotshots fill up their water bottles as they return to their crew cabs after a long day of fighting the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Firefighters wait outside a home to protect it from the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Bill "Coach" Price leads Tobie, one of three rescued horses, out of the burn area of the Spring Creek Fire in Piney Ridge Ranch on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Veterinarian Dr. Romy Nicoletta, second from right, checks out Dancer, a horse owned by Dennis Ceremuga, right, after rescuing them one week after the Spring Creek Fire forced them to evacuate from their home in Piney Ridge Ranch on July 4, 2018. Ceremuga and his wife Kate McCabe had to evacuate the night of the Spring Creek Fire and were only able to let their horses loose from their corrals. The corrals and the woods around their house burned but their 3 horses and their home survived. Because the fire was too intense the couple were unable to get to the horses until today. The horses have been in the burn area since the beginning of the fire a week ago. They were hungry and thirsty but otherwise in generally good health.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A relieved Dennis Ceremuga brings Dancer, one of his three rescued horses, into an awaiting trailer near their home in Piney Ridge Ranch on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
The Spring Creek Fire continues to burn in Costilla county on July 3, 2018 in La Veta. The Spring Creek Fire in Costilla county has so far burned 78,941 acres and is 5% contained. Over 100 structures have burned in the fast moving fire.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A helicopter moves along ridges to make water drops on the Spring Creek Fire continues to burn in Costilla county on July 3, 2018 in La Veta. The Spring Creek Fire in Costilla county has so far burned 78,941 acres and is 5% contained. Over 100 structures have burned in the fast moving fire.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Ty Warren leaves a pen where his father's cattle are being kept at the Huerfano County Fairgrounds where displaced people have brought their pets for safe keeping as the Spring Creek Fire continues to burn on July 3, 2018 in La Veta. The Spring Creek Fire in Costilla county has so far burned 78,941 acres and is 5% contained. Over 100 structures have burned in the fast moving fire. All kinds of animals have been brought to the site including horses, cows, pigs, goats, dogs, ducks, and chickens.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Siblings Caleb Goins, 13, left, William Bolin, 10, middle and Mary Goins, 16, tend to pigs at the Huerfano County Fairgrounds where displaced people have brought their pets for safe keeping as the Spring Creek Fire continues to burn on July 3, 2018 in La Veta. The Spring Creek Fire in Costilla county has so far burned 78,941 acres and is 5% contained. Over 100 structures have burned in the fast moving fire. All kinds of animals have been brought to the site including horses, cows, pigs, goats, dogs, ducks, and chickens.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
La Veta Marshall Harold Willburn watches the movement of Tthe Spring Creek Fire as it continues to burn in Costilla county on July 3, 2018 in La Veta. The Spring Creek Fire in Costilla county has so far burned 78,941 acres and is 5% contained. Over 100 structures have burned in the fast moving fire.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Arvada Fire Department wildland firefighters from left to right Justin Cotsamire, Patrick Jungels, and Jeremy Gaccetta, on Brush 58, watch for hot spots while helping to fight the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Firefighters wait outside a home to protect it from the Weston Pass Fire as a helicopter flies by to make a water drop on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A flare up is seen behind a home along Highway 285 on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A helicopter returns for water after making a water drop on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Arvada Fire Department engine boss Jared Acker watches for hot spots with his crew on Brush 58 while helping to fight the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Arvada Fire Department engine boss Jared Acker, left, and his crew from middle to left, Justin Cotsamire, Patrick Jungels and Jeremy Gaccetta, on Brush 58, watch for hot spots while helping to fight the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Cody Cowan, middle, and other members of the Craig Hotshots return to their crew cabs after a long day of fighting the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
The sun sets as the High Chateau Fire burns west of Cripple Creek on Monday, July 2, 2018.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A helicopter returns for water after making a water drop on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Alicia Gardner Ð who grew up in Highland Meadows as seen in the distance Ð looks at the subdivision where her parents still live and were evacuated from as the High Chateau Fire burns west of Cripple Creek on Monday, July 2, 2018.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Smoke begins to build in the afternoon on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Plumes of smoke begin to build in the afternoon on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post
Laura Ross hugs fellow volunteer Carl Andersen as they help feed evacuees displaced by the High Chateau Fire Ðwhich continued to burn west of town Ð at Cripple Creek Elementary on Monday, July 2, 2018.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A helicopter makes a water drop on the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near Fairplay.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Tim Mathewson, Incident meteorologist gives an update on the daily weather expected for the Spring Creek fire during the daily morning briefing at the spike camp on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Firefighters listen to the morning briefing at the spike camp before heading out on the Spring Creek Fire on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Rosebud Sioux firefighter Chance Wooden Knife, left, throws a bad of ice to firefighter Smokey Kills Smart, right, at the spike camp as their Type II initial attack hand crew gets ready to head out on the Spring Creek Fire on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Karen Bayci pets her African Gray parrot Smokey inside her shop Casa de Pajaros on July 4, 2018.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
Brandon Laird holds his daughter Emmy, 4, as they watch the sun sets over the Spring Creek Fire on July 4, 2018.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
A firefighting helicopter heads back to the heli-base operations as the sun sets on the Spring Creek Fire on July 4, 2018, in La Veta.
Helen H. Richardson, The Denver Post
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Members of the Craig Hotshots return to their crew cabs after a long day of fighting the Weston Pass Fire on July 2, 2018 near FairPlay.
