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Beaver Creek Wildfire Burns 3,800 Acres, Evacuations Ordered

WALDEN, Colo. (CBS4) - A forest fire continued to burn unchecked Tuesday in the Routt National Forest in Northern Colorado and evacuations have been ordered.

beaver creek
The Beaver Creek Fire (credit: Routt National Forest)

The Beaver Creek Fire has been burning two miles south of the Colorado-Wyoming state line since about noon on Sunday. The fire is now established on Independence Mountain and has burned about 3,800 acres and moving northeast toward the Wyoming state line.

Due to extreme fire behavior, heavy smoke and high winds, evacuations are now mandatory for area private and recreation residences, as well as all fire personnel in the fire area. According to Jackson County Sheriff Gary Cure, everyone was successfully evacuated out of the Twisty Park and Pearl areas. No evacuation site was established since there were no permanent residents.

Beaver Creek fire from USFS3
The Beaver Creek Fire (credit: Routt National Forest)

There are about 120 firefighters battling the blaze which is fueled by hot, dry and breezy conditions. It's estimated at just under 800 acres.

There are some cabins located on the southeast side of the fire but the flames seem to be moving in the opposite direction.

Routt Natl Forest pic of Beaver Creek fire1
The Beaver Creek Fire (credit: Routt National Forest)

Fire crews are using sprinklers and bulldozers to fight the fire.

There is no containment or estimate of containment.

What started the fire remains under investigation but fire investigators did locate a vehicle of interest on Monday. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help with residents rebuild.

LINK: Beaver Creek Fire Relief Fund

Beaver Creek fire from USFS4
The Beaver Creek Fire (credit: Routt National Forest)

 

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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