A raging wildfire jumped fire lines earlier today in the hills above Colorado Springs, forcing mandatory evacuations of more than 32,000 residents and destroying multiple structures. Heavy smoke and falling ash have added to the difficulty of trying to leave the affected areas. Many of the fires have been triggered by lightening strikes, including the High Park fire in northern Colorado which destroyed over 250 homes.
As of Monday, there were 10 major fires affecting the state of Colorado:
- CR102 Fire: 300 acres burned, 75% contained
- Little Sand Fire: 21,616 acres burned, 31% contained
- Springer Fire: 1,145 acres burned, 100% contained
- State Line Fire: 350 acres burned, 15% contained
- Treasure Fire: 320 acres burned, 10% contained
- Trout Creek Fire: 25 acres burned, 100% contained
- Waldo Canyon Fire: 3,600 acres burned, still growing
- Weber Fire: 8,300 acres burned, still growing
- Woodland Heights Fire: 20 acres burned, 100% contained
The American Red Cross is responding to the wildfires in the west where thousand have been forced from their homes. Five shelters were opened in Colorado Tuesday night. The Red Cross has been operating shelters in the state since June 9th and has provided more than 320 overnight stays. More than 200 disaster workers are responding and have served over 30,000 meals and snacks.
Insurance Journal update on Waldo Canyon Fire June 28, 2012.
Update–Red Cross Response to Colorado Wildfires as if 6/29 @ 9 am.
- The Red Cross Job Headquarters is moving to Aurora, CO to oversee the statewide operation.
- Opened 7 shelters, providing more than 1,000 overnight stays.
- Served more than 36,000 meals and snacks to affected communities as well as first responders.
- Ten Emergency Response Vehicles are deployed to the operation; 12 more have been placed on alert.
- Distributed more than 4,000 relief items such as comfort kits, clean-up kits, sifters, work gloves and face masks.
- Provided more than 3,800 health and mental health contacts providing such services as crisis counseling, emotional support and basic first aid.
- Nearly 4,400 Safe and Well registrations have occurred.
- Red Cross is working closely with dozens of community partners including AmeriCorps NCCC, the Salvation Army, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief and the Humane Society.
- 350 Red Cross workers are providing support to this operation.
- The Red Cross has been responding to this disaster since June 9, 2012.