North Creek Fire 80% contained after burning through weekend
Editor's note: This story was updated Monday afternoon to reflect that the North Creek Fire is now 80% contained.
The North Creek Fire burning in Pike-San Isabel National Forest in Beulah reached 80% containment Monday afternoon after burning approximately 50 acres over the weekend, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The ongoing fire, which was first reported Saturday afternoon, is about 6 1/2 miles northwest of Beulah Valley. No structures have been damaged and no injuries have been reported.
"North Creek Fire is showing very little smoke this morning. Firefighters have reengaged and continue to strengthen and secure the fire's edge," the forest service wrote Monday morning in an update posted to the Pike-San Isabel National Forest Twitter page.
"Crews will take advantage of today's temperature, highs of 67 (degrees Fahrenheit), and lower forecasted winds, as a ("red flag" warning) is in effect for Tuesday, (April 18,) near the fire area."
The cause of the North Creek Fire has been determined to be human-caused, with authorities saying Sunday the fire was started by a hunter's campfire. The U.S. Forest Service and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said they've identified a person of interest in the case but have not released additional information.
The fire was first reported Saturday afternoon and prompted brief evacuations in the affected area of Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Approximately 20 residences were impacted by the mandatory evacuations, which had been lifted by Saturday night. Residents from the Red Mountain Youth Camp west to the county line were later placed on a pre-evacuation notice, but it was lifted Sunday.
Approximately 90 personnel from several different agencies, including the Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District, PCSO, Pueblo Rural Fire, West Park Fire Protection District, PCSO Emergency Services Bureau and others responded to help fight the fire.
Air resources, including a fire suppression helicopter and two single-engine air tankers, were deployed Saturday to fight the blaze, and a "multi-mission" aircraft was used to map the fire. Air resources continue to be available to firefighting crews if needed, according to the forest service.
As of Sunday night, the fire line around the fire's perimeter was holding in place. However, heavy fuel within the perimeter was continuing to smolder and the forest service said smoke might still be visible Monday.
Custer County Road 387 remains closed at the intersection of County Road 386 as of Monday afternoon, according to the forest service. The public is asked to stay out of the area due to heavy fire traffic.
Firefighting operations had slightly scaled back Monday but dozens of firefighters were still working the scene.
Vidalia Vigil, a spokesperson for the forest service, said Monday afternoon two hotshot crews and one hand crew, each made up of more than 20 people, were still on scene, along with multiple fire engines from supporting agencies. Hotshot crews, Vigil said, are more experienced and have a wider range of skills than hand crews.
"We would like to use this opportunity to remind everyone that many of our day-to-day actions can have the potential to cause a wildfire," forest service representatives wrote in a blog about the North Creek Fire Sunday. "The weather in many areas of Southern Colorado continues to be dry and warm and there have been a number of wildfires in the past few weeks along the Front Range and in Southern Colorado."
"Federal, County, State and local agencies remind all of us to take a pause before we do anything that might cause a wildfire. Always ensure that you dispose of any heat source properly, trailer chains are not dragging and campfires are built safely and extinguished completely," the forest service wrote.
"There are many areas in Colorado that are in some variation of fire restrictions, and we urge all residents and visitors to always check fire restrictions for their area or the area they will be visiting. Remember, we are all responsible for our own actions and we all have the opportunity to prevent wildfires."
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This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: North Creek Fire 80% contained after burning through weekend
