Cherry Canyon Fire grows to 11,818 acres, 50% contained
LAS ANIMAS COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Cherry Creek Fire that has been burning since Wednesday is now 11,818 acres large and 50% contained, according to an update from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Sunday night.
A spokeswoman for DFPC said cooler temperatures and increased humidity assisted firefighters battling the Cherry Canyon Fire.
However, wind shifted to the northwest challenging existing control lines on the fire Sunday. Additional shifts in the winds and unsettled weather are expected for the next few days, according the spokeswoman.
The nearby 466 Fire is maintained at 120 acres, with 50% containment as of Sunday night. Aircraft and firefighters from DFPC are assisting the Kim Volunteer fire Department.
Once the fire is out, resources assigned to the 466 Fire will return to the Cherry Canyon Fire.
Previous coverage:
In a Sunday morning update on the massive wildland fire burning near the town of Kim, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control said the Cherry Canyon Fire grew nearly 1,500 acres throughout Saturday.
The blaze is now 11,087 acres and 0% contained as of Saturday evening, according to the release.
Air and ground support worked throughout the day to try to control the spread. Firefighters will continue to work in the area for the next few days. Crews are aiming to keep the fire north of Highway 160, east of County Road 179 and west of State Highway 109.
A smaller fire in the area, the "466 Fire," is now 120 acres and 0% contained.
The Colorado DFPC says it will continue to assist the Kim Volunteer Fire Department.
Previous coverage:
A small wildland fire that broke out Wednesday morning has grown to 9,602 acres as of Friday and is threatening several structures.
A release sent to KRDO Saturday morning from the Colorado Department of Public Safety says unseasonably warm and dry weather, coupled with strong winds, grew the fire suddenly.
The blaze, dubbed the Cherry Canyon Fire, is 10 miles northwest of the town of Kim. Authorities say it's threatening four isolated structures.
Officials say lightning was the cause of the fire.
Multiple agencies are responding, including air support. Crews are having trouble accessing the fire because of its remote location around steep canyons and cliffs.
In the same release, fire authorities said a second fire, called the "466 Fire" broke out 15 miles northeast of the Cherry Canyon Fire. The 466 Fire is two acres as of Friday morning. We'll continue to monitor that blaze as well.
We will update this article as more information becomes available.
