The Black Forest Fire started on Tuesday, June 11. The cause is undertermined. It is located in the northeast section of Colorado Springs, within the city limits. Rich Harvey’s Great Basin Type 1 Incident Management Team took over management of the fire on Wednesday at 6 a.m.

This wind driven fire moved very quickly the first day and destroyed aproximately 360 structures and also caused the immediate evacuation of several thousand residents. Assessment of structures is ongoing and will be updated when additional information is available. There are numerous interagency resources assigned to the fire with others arriving daily.

 

Basic Information

Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Under Investigation
Date of Origin Tuesday June 11th, 2013 approx. 02:30 PM
Location Within the City limits of Black Forest Colorado
Incident Commander Rich Harvey

Current Situation

Total Personnel 1,060
Size 15,500 acres
Percent Contained 30%
Estimated Containment Date Thursday June 20th, 2013 approx. 12:00 AM
Fuels Involved Timber including Ponderosa Pine plus grass and Oak Shrubs
Fire Behavior Overnight humidity recovery was poor. Energy Release Compnents have increased and are greater then during the Waldo Canyon Fire last year. They are expected to increase without any precipatation. Primary fire carrier is grass and brush with occasional tree torching within isolated pockets.
Significant Events Evacuations and road closures are still in effect. A thunderstorm passed through the area today with lightning, strong winds and some precipitation. A new start north of the fire area started but fire fighters responded quickly and supressed it. VIPs visiting the fire today included Governor Hickenlooper, Senators Bennet and Udall and State Senator Lambert.

Outlook

Planned Actions Continue to anchor, flank and pinch where fire and terrain allow. Continue structure protection and maintain evacuations. Continue to mop up where fire activity is low.
Growth Potential Extreme
Terrain Difficulty Medium
Remarks Decrease in acreage is due to more accurate aerial and GPS mapping. Acreage may increase as islands within the fire area and fingers along the perimeter burn together. There are numerous cooperating agencies assisting with the fire fighting efforts.

Current Weather

Wind Conditions 30 mph SE
Temperature 88 degrees
Humidity 11%

~~~

Black Forest Fire Update 6-14-13

Incident: Black Forest Fire Wildfire
Released: 13 hrs. ago

Black Forest Fire Update

For Immediate Release: Friday, June 14, 2012, 8 am.

Joint Information Center (719) 444-8300 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) Public Information: inciweb.orgrockybasin1@gmail.comTwitter: @T1GBIMTHarvey

Fire Facts:

Date started: June 11, 2013

Number of Personnel: 800

Location: Within the City Limits of Black Forest, Colorado

Crews: 1

Size: 15,702 acres

Engines: 50

Percent Contained: 5%

Estimated Containment: TBD

Dozers: 5

Water Tenders: 5

Cause: Under investigation

Helicopters: 7 Type 1 and 1 Type 3

Structures lost: 360

Structures damaged: 13

Injuries to Date: 1

Cost to Date: $2,000,000

 Announcement:At 6:00 am on Thursday, June 13, Rich Harvey’s, Type I Great Basin Incident Management Team assumed command of the Black Forest Fire.

Today’s Events: Firefighters made good progress along the southern portion of the fire perimeter yesterday containing its movement to the north of Shoup Road. Today, firefighters will continue to construct fire line, mop up existing hotspots around residences and patrol interior islands of unburned fuel. In addition, firefighting efforts on the ground will be aided with water dropping helicopters and retardant aircraft from the Colorado National Guard and active duty military from nearby Fort Carson.

Forecasted weather conditions for today should allow firefighters to continue to make good progress. Winds will be lighter than the last few days allowing aircraft more opportunities to conduct water and retardant drops and morning cloud cover should moderate fire behavior.

Assessment of damaged or destroyed structures within the fire area will continue today. Fire fighters will also seek out and suppress hotspots near structures to ensure that they will not flare up and cause other impacts.

Evacuations and Closures Evacuations and area closures are still in effect for most of the fire area. For more information with regards to evacuations and area closures go to rsg.epc.sheriff.com or call the Joint Information Center at 719-444-8300.

~~~

INCIDENT COOPERATORS:

American Red Cross, City of Colorado Springs, Colorado Division of Fire Protection and Control, Colorado National Guard, Colorado Office of Emergency Services, El Paso County and Ft. Carson Infantry Division.

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

JIC – 719-444-8300

 

2013 The NW Fire Blog

Source: inciweb

Published: 6/14/13 2355 PST