The Lower North Fork wildfire continues to rage southwest of Denver as firefighters struggle to contain it. According to The Denver Post, the fire has burned more than 4,000 acres and has left two dead while one person remains unaccounted for.
* Gusty, high winds fueled the fire and dry conditions contributed to the dangerous situation.
* Initially, there were 100 firefighters trying to control the fast-moving blaze and as of today, it was expected at least 300 more firefighters would join the scene.
* Firefighters have been unable to gain much control and by this morning 4,500 acres had been burned and 23 homes destroyed.
* An elderly couple who might have been attempting to flee their home was found dead after the fire moved on and authorities reported one woman is still unaccounted for.
* The Denver Post reported that on Tuesday authorities told residents living in 6,500 homes they should prepared to evacuate.
* 9News reported the number of homes evacuated was 900. Evacuees were being housed at local schools that have been set up as Red Cross shelters.
* On Tuesday, 9News reported planes that could drop fire retardant over portions of the fire arrived to assist with the containment efforts. Air support continued today as firefighters were still working to contain the fires.
* The fire is mostly on the ground but it is also burning in some trees.
* A number of displaced small and large animals are being housed at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, although it was reported a number of animals were left behind during evacuations.
* The fire started Monday and according to 9News, it is believed it originally began as a controlled burn last week by the Colorado Forest Service and high winds reignited it.
* 9News reported the Lower North Fork fire started on property owned by the Denver Water Board near the location where controlled burns were conducted. A Forest Service spokesman has denied that allegation and claims the Forest Service is not responsible. The Colorado Bureau of Investigations is investigating.
Tammy Lee Morris is certified as a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) member and is a trained Skywarn Storm Spotter through the National Weather Service. She has received interpretive training regarding the New Madrid Seismic Zone through EarthScope -- a program of the National Science Foundation. She researches and writes about earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, weather and other natural phenomena.
