US34 between Loveland, CO and Estes Park CO (Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park)

[noFanofCB]

Cameron Peak Fire has been burning for 2 months. It is now the largest wildfire in (recorded) Colorado history.

It has started moving into a position to endanger structures along US 34 between Loveland CO and Estes Park CO. Thus US 34 is now closed. In addition, the fire may also endanger Estes Park.

The fire is also burning in the north portion of the park far from paved roads but Trail Ridge Road has been closed intermittently due to poor visibility from fire smoke.

Status can be seen here- https://www.larimer.org/cameron-peak-fire

Note that the map is likely updated only every 24 hrs while the fire can chew thru tens of thousands of acres per day.

I suggest foregoing any long drives to visit Rocky Mountain National Park for the next few weeks. Worst case you'd find that Estes Park has burned down and your reservation is moot. (hope not!)

This in addition to CO 14 between Ft. Collins and Walden CO is closed as it's in the heart of the fire.
Another fire, the Mullen Fire, is burning on the Colo/Wyoming border and has closed CO 127/Wy230 between Cowdrey CO and Laramie WY.

Will 2020 NEVER END?????

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yeah, I am monitoring the fire command channels -- they are working hard to catch the latest run.

Mark

[noFanofCB]

East Troublesome fire west of RMNP blew up last night burning 6000 acres PER HOUR.

RMNP is now closed both sides and there are many, many fires in the state. Not a good time to be trying to tour the area.

Some moisture and a cold front are expected for the weekend but it won't be enough moisture to snuff the fires out.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Yeah, that is a ripping-fast-wildfire.

The fastest fire I ever personally worked was in southern California in 1994 and it averaged 3,000 acres an hour for six hours. It was gnarly, dangerous and we lost a lot of fire hose. (I was working on a fire brush rig) and about the time we'd be making a stand to hold the fire it would blow past us. Fire Engines were leap-frogging each other up a road trying to get a handle on the speed of the flames. So, the fire in the timber range burned by the East Troublesome Fire would have been been extraordinary to see in person. The emergency radio traffic from two nights ago was pretty alarming.

Mark

[noFanofCB]

We're now getting a pretty good snowstorm. I-25 is closed between Wellington CO and Cheyenne, WY due to visibility and crashes. Temp is 14F.

It will be several days before we know the status of the fires and whether roads will re-open and evacuations totally lifted.

[glc]

I watched the Chiefs/Broncos game on TV this afternoon, I saw the snow on the field.

[noFanofCB]

I watched the Chiefs/Broncos game on TV this afternoon, I saw the snow on the field.

What matters is the snow in the mountains. Unofficial report of 17" on the burg at the north end of the Cameron Peak fire.

Down here in Ft. Collins we've had 11" so far. I-25 is a disaster as folks are re-learning to drive in snow.

It'll be days before evacuations are lifted and roads reopened. The fire fighters took today (storm day) off for well-deserved and needed rest.