Officials beefed up resources on Thursday in response to the flare-up of a wildfire in northwestern Colorado.
Routt National Forest expected to have more than 100 people working on the Silver Creek Fire Thursday, said Aaron Voos, a spokesman for the U.S. Forest Service. Four fire crews, several single-engine air tankers and helicopters helped battle the blaze.
The fire, burning 16 miles northwest of Kremmling, grew by at least 1,000 acres by Wednesday evening after hot and windy weather in the area. Voos said that was a conservative estimate because the fire continued growing overnight into Thursday.
“The Silver Creek Fire grew substantially yesterday as was evident by the smoke that could be seen from long distances away,” he said. “We have two more dry, windy days anticipated here today and tomorrow so we’re anticipating that it could grow even more.”
Prior to the flare-up, the blaze had previously burned 5,000 acres and was 76 percent contained with few people working on it.
Voos said some hunters in the area were notified and asked to move, but officials couldn’t make contact with a few Wednesday night.
No structures were threatened, but smoke plumes could be seen from Highway 40 and Steamboat Springs, Voos said.
Video footage from the Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) of the smoke column from the #silvercreekfire today #cofire
Crews were also battling a small wildfire northwest of Fort Collins. The Seaman Fire started by a lightning strike Tuesday and had burned 168 acres Thursday morning, a U.S. Forest Service Facebook page reported.
Hewlett and Grayrock trails were closed. Officials also closed the nearby Gateway Natural Area and put 11 structures under voluntary evacuation orders.
A Red Flag Warning was in effect Thursday. More than 120 firefighters were working the fire.
