Day 2 403 Fire: Blaze continues to grow, evacuations still in place
PARK COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- The 403 Fire, burning near the Park County and Teller County line, continues to grow.
According to an update at 1:30 p.m., the fire is now 1,205 acres. There is no information on containment at this time. The fire has not officially moved into Teller County, but the sheriff's office and crews are prepared for when that might happen.
At 4:48 p.m., officials said the fire was reported at 11:04 a.m. Thursday, March 30. Local, state, and federal resources responded and are continuing to work. Windy conditions continue to be a factor in the fire's growth and direction.
Aviation resources were ordered; however, windy conditions didn't allow for safe or effective operations. KRDO reached out to fire officials on when would aviation resources be able to provide aid.
According to officials operating the 403 Facebook page, for a type two helicopter to operate less than 500 feet above the ground, wind needs to be less than 40 mph and wind gusts have to be less than 15 mph.
While the wind is expected to reduce after 7 p.m., wind gusts will continue around 25 mph through Friday night.
Structures in the area continue to be threatened.
The TCSO said just before 5 p.m., there are some areas within Teller County without power due to some fallen trees. CORE Electric is working to restore power and it should be complete by 8 p.m.
The mandatory evacuations in place are:
- Residents in the 1-mile area of County Road 403 and Alpine Meadow Lane
- In Teller County:
- Wilson Lakes Subdivision
- Forest Glenn Subdivision
Pre-evacuation in Teller County:
- La Montana Mesa
- Las Brisas
For an up-to-date interactive map of the evacuation zones, click here.
Evacuation Shelters and Locations:
- People: Lake George Community Center, located at 39141 US 24, Lake George, CO 80827.
- Large animals and livestock: Lake George Fairgrounds located at 37371 Highway 24 in Lake George, C 80827.
- Small cats and dogs: Teller County Animal Shelter, 308 Weaverville Rd, Divide. Please call 719-686-7707 with questions
The Teller County Animal Shelter is accepting donations. For more information, click here.
For Teller County evacuees:
- Woodland Park Community Church at 800 Valley View Drive in Woodland Park has been set as the evacuation shelter
Anyone who needs to return to the evacuation zone to pick up essentials or animals is asked to stop at any roadblock. They will be escorted back in for a brief period.
Road Closures:
All of County Road 403 is closed. For nearby County Road 61 and County Road 98 toward Blue Mountain ranch and ID will be needed to pass the roadblock on CR 98 to get to the Wagon Tongue, Echo Valley Estates, and Beaver Valley Estates.
Below are links to official web pages and social media pages tracking the fire:
- 403 Facebook page
- Teller County Sheriff's Facebook
- Florissant Fire Protection District
- Teller County Sheriff's Office Twitter
- Inciweb
- Teller County Sheriff's Office Public Information
Both Park and Teller Counties are on fire bans
According to Park County, the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning effective Friday until 7 p.m.
Given these conditions, all of Park County is under a Stage 1 Burn Ban per County Ordinance 21-04
Any fire that starts has the potential to spread rapidly. Outdoor activities that could produce a spark and start a wildfire are prohibited.
Teller County is under a Stage 2 Fire Ban. For details on this restriction, click here.
During a press conference Friday morning, officials said the cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Click here for information on how to donate to crews battling the flames.
