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'Extreme Fire Behavior' Expected At Cameron Peak Fire On Saturday

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - The Cameron Peak Fire actively burning in Larimer County grew by more than 14,000 acres from Friday evening to Saturday morning. The fire has now charred 187,537 acres and is 57% contained.

Cameron Peak Fire 3 (Friday, from Inciweb)
Cameron Peak Fire on Oct. 16. (credit: Inciweb)

RELATED: Warm, Windy And Dry With Areas Of Dense Smoke At Times

New mandatory evacuations were given on Saturday afternoon for those on Rist Canyon Road, Glade Road from north of Mildred Lane to north of Spring Canyon Ranch Road and County Road 27 east to Devil's Backbone.

"Fire activity has increased and a spot fire has become established one mile east of the main fire near Buckskin Heights (just south of previous spot fire) and is moving south towards Masonville," forest service officials told CBS4.

The spot fire near Buckskin Heights was estimated to be 75-100 acres. Officials say structures are impacted and the fire is now moving into lighter fuels.

Mandatory evacuations remain in place for Pinewood Reservoir to Flatiron Reservoir as well as County Road 29 to the west side of County Road 27 north of Highway 34.

Voluntary evacuations are in place for those along County Road 27 to the Devils Backbone north of Highway 34.

The American Red Cross has volunteers set up at the Days Inn at 7860 6th Street in Wellington for any evacuees needing help. They can also call 800-417-0495 for shelter information.

Cameron Peak Fire 2 (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority tweet)
Cameron Peak Fire on Oct. 16. (credit: Loveland Fire)

Crews say winds pushed the fire south toward Bulwark Ridge, Miller Fork, Storm Mountain, Cedar Park and Glen Haven on Friday.

"Aircraft were used for bucket drops and retardant along the 44H Buckhorn Road and the southeastern perimeter of the fire," fire officials said.

RELATED: New Evacuations Ordered As East Troublesome Fire Tops 11,000 Acres

More than 1,300 people are helping fight the stubborn blaze. The fire started on Aug. 13 from an unknown cause. The fire became the largest fire ever in Colorado's history earlier this week.

Cameron Peak Fire 1 (Loveland Fire Rescue Authority tweet)
Cameron Peak Fire on Oct. 16. (credit: Loveland Fire)

"Areas of moderate to heavy smoke have been observed this morning morning in the Ft. Collins, Loveland, and Longmont areas. Periods of smoke from the Cameron Peak and East Troublesome wildfires will continue to cause smoke impacts at times through Saturday afternoon to foothill locations of Larimer and Boulder counties, along with the I-25 urban corridor from Ft. Collins southward to northern parts of the Denver metro area," fire officials said on Inciweb Saturday.

Brandon Boles shared a picture of the view from Highway 7 in Estes Park on Friday night.

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