Fire crews battling two wildfires in Northern Colorado
NORTHERN COLORADO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Crews are working on two wildfires burning in Northern Colorado.
The Platte River fire was first reported Thursday at 2:57 p.m. The wildfire is burning in Jefferson County, northeast of Buffalo Creek, east of Foxton in Ramona Gulch.
That fire has since forced dozens of families in Jefferson County out of their homes. Thursday night, the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said residents living in the area of S. Foxton Rd. and W. Platte River Rd. were evacuated. A total of 25 homes are affected.
Those evacuations are set to remain in effect through Sunday evening at the earliest, although JCSO says that might be extended.
As of 6 p.m., the Platte River fire has burned 31 acres. The official cause is still unknown, but crews believe it started from a downed power line.
To the west, crews are dealing with another fire near Silverthorne.
The Straight Creek fire is burning south of I-70, between the Eisenhower Tunnel and Silverthorne. Thursday, the fire closed eastbound I-70 near mile marker 205 while crews worked.
The interstate reopened Thursday night but closed down to one lane again Friday while crews continued battling the fire.
The U.S. Forest Service says fire crews monitored the fire overnight, and more resources arrived Friday morning.
According to the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit, the Straight Creek fire is burning through living and dead spruce and lodgepole pines in the White River National Forest.
Friday, two heavy helicopters and two Hot Shot crews arrived to work on the fire. USFS says the fire activity remains moderate, but we could see more fire activity as the days warm.
As of Friday at 6 p.m., the fire has burned 8 acres and is 30% contained.
Stay up to date with Platte River fire updates here.
Stay up to date on Straight Creek fire updates here.
