Hayden Pass Fire Forces Evacuations; Cold Springs Fire Holds Steady

Photo: Hayden Pass Fire
The Hayden Pass Fire burns near Coaldale, Colorado inbetween Salida and Canon City on Sunday, July 10, 2016.

The Hayden Pass Fire more than doubled in size to about 19 square miles on Monday and hasn't been contained at all.

Fire managers say it was started by a lightning strike in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on Friday but crews weren't able to pinpoint its location over the weekend. It flared up Sunday and quickly grew in dead trees and dry, windy weather.

Coaldale is located along the Arkansas River, about 35 miles west of Canon City.

Cold Springs Fire Kept In Check, For Now

To the north, firefighters were able to keep a wildfire burning near Nederland from spreading despite gusty winds. Officials anticipate the fire will be 25 percent contained by Tuesday evening.

Officials say hundreds of residents who were forced to leave their homes will be allowed to return for a few hours Wednesday morning to pick up clean clothing and dispose of spoiled food. Fire operations will be suspended during that time, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.

Boulder County spokeswoman Gabi Boerkircher says the danger is not past, even though crews have been able to keep the fire in check.

"That does not mean that the fire is out and that it doesn’t pose a threat," she said. "There is the possibility of more jumping if the winds pick up. So it certainly is a scary situation at this point."

The effort could get a break from the weather over the next day or two. The forecast has cooler temperatures and the chance for some rain.

Some road closures near the fire have been lifted, including on the Peak to Peak Highway. The main road between Boulder and Nederland, Highway 119, is still closed.