Evacuations Ordered As Wildfire Grows In Deer Creek Canyon
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Fire crews rushed to put out a wildfire burning in Jefferson County on Thursday afternoon. The fire was burning in Deer Creek Canyon.
"We will be working throughout the night to get the fire knocked down," said Stacee Martin with Deer Creek Canyon Fire.
On Thursday night, there were 100 firefighters on the scene.
Evacuations for the so-called Deer Creek Canyon Park Fire have been ordered near the mouth of Deer Creek Park near Grizzly and Bear Claw Drive. Evacuation orders have been sent out to 270 residences in Deer Creek Mesa and White Deer Valley.
Hours later, another evacuation order was issued, this time for 44 homes along Samson Road, Mill Hollow Road, Sunburst and Hunter's Ridge.
Evacuation orders will remain in place through Friday morning. Deputies are going door-to-door to make sure everyone knows they are under an evacuation order.
The evacuation center was established at Chatfield High School but will be relocated to the Ken Caryl Ranch House at 7676 S. Continental Divide at 7 a.m. Friday. Large animals will be evacuated to Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
South Valley Park, Hildebrand Ranch Park and Deer Creek Canyon Park were closed due to fire.
Copter4 flew over the wildfire, which was sending up large plumes of white smoke. The flames could be seen consuming trees from Copter4. The fire was burning in rocky, rough terrain.
"The winds are pushing the fire back on itself which helps considerably," said Martin.
Fire crews could be seen spraying the flames. Martin said air support was ordered but it couldn't arrive before the cutoff time on Thursday night. Crews are planning aggressively for Friday in hopes of drawing a containment line around the fire.
What caused the fire is being investigated. The fire measured 13.5 acres as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday
A family of hikers was located and escorted out of the fire zone. The Jefferson County Sheriff says the fire remains very active.
Fire crews from the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District are on scene along with West Metro Fire Rescue, Deer Creek Canyon Fire and other agencies.
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