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CalWood Fire Now The Largest Fire Boulder County Has Ever Seen

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- Boulder County officials provided an update on the CalWood Fire burning near Jamestown. The fire started Saturday afternoon and has since burned 8,788 acres.

CalWood Fire
BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 17: A slurry bomber drops retardant over the CalWood fire near Buckingham Park northwest of Boulder on Saturday October 17, 2020. (credit: Eric Lutzens/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

It is 5% contained. Officials at the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management say this fire is the largest the county has ever seen.

Cloud cover and smoke are prohibiting aerial attacks on the fire. It is the hope the weather will clear in order for planes to drop fire retardant. Damage assessment teams are also unable to enter the perimeter for safety concerns.

CalWood Fire
BOULDER, CO - OCTOBER 17: The CalWood fire burns on a hillside near Sixmile Canyon northwest of Boulder on Saturday October 17, 2020. (credit: Eric Lutzens/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

It's not clear how many structures were damaged or lost, but the number is expected to be "large." Officials say, as of Saturday night, 1,646 homes were evacuated.

One man, whose home was sparred, tells CBS4 the fire moved in too fast.

"The uncertainty of these situation it happens so fast and you think you're prepared for things, you think you know what you're going to grab and go, but when you get that call and you have to go, you can't be too well prepared. And now it's the uncertainty of what happens next and what do you do tomorrow," said Steve Stewart.

Structure protection remains the focus during the firefight on Saturday. Officials say coronavirus safety precautions provide a "whole different layer of complexity."

There are at least 250 people helping fight this fire. A Type 2 Incident team is expected to arrive later Sunday afternoon.

PHOTO GALLERY: CalWood Fire In Boulder County

CALWOOD FIRE 10PKG.transfer_frame_676
(credit: CBS)

Two people were reported missing Saturday night, but they have since been found and are reportedly okay. One firefighter suffered an ankle injury, but is expected to be okay.

It is not clear what caused the fire, although the Boulder County Sheriff's Office said Saturday night there was no evidence of lightning in the area at the time of when the fire started.

RELATED: Sunday Wind Expected To Start Calmly At CalWood Fire: 'It Doesn't Take Much'

Community members who want to help or donate supplies are asked to visit Boulder OEM's website and click on the button for donations. Officials ask for those community members to not show up due to safety concerns.

Follow the Boulder Office of Emergency Management at boulderoem.com or on Twitter for up-to-date information about the fire.

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