LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Mandatory evacuations have been ordered for residents and businesses near Pennock Pass on County Road 44H after the Cameron Peak Fire activity increased in the area south of Highway 14 toward Crown Point.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) sent an emergency alert Friday, saying there is "immediate and imminent danger."
The alert says, "Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety, but also allows emergency crews better access to the area."
People can text the word LCEVAC to 888777 for updates. LCSO asked that people do not call 911 unless they are in danger.
Later Friday, LCSO said fire officials have ordered voluntary evacuations in the area of County Road 44H from Pennock Pass east to County Road 27, as well as residences to the south using County Road 44H as access.
The alert says, "Residents and business occupants should evacuate if they are concerned for their safety, feel they need additional time to exit the area, or have health conditions that may be aggravated by this incident. You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and to prepare for mandatory evacuations."
The Cameron Peak Fire in western Larimer County had burned 18,287 acres and was 0% contained as of Sunday morning.
The fire started Aug. 13 in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests near Cameron Pass and Chambers Lake, 15 miles southwest of Red Feather Lakes., and the cause was under investigation, according to inciweb.
About 650 personnel were working on the fire. It was burning in heavy timber stands over rugged terrain. Hot, dry, windy weather has driven rapid growth in the blaze.
> Video above: Helicopter rescues hiker trapped by Cameron Peak Fire.
On Thursday, the fire grew on all flanks due to wind and topography. There was moderate fire growth down the Colorado 14 corridor, and a risk remained of spot fires across Colorado 14 and in Poudre Canyon. The fire was expected to continue to move toward Peterson Reservoir and along the Poudre River.
Parts of Rocky Mountain National Park were closed as firefighters moved in, according to a video announcement shared Tuesday.
Additional closures were made Thursday in the Canyon Lakes District, including the Buckhorn Corridor. Fire officials said the closure was for safety purposes in the case of an evacuation rather than the fire's behavior. All of the closures can be found on their website.
Colorado Highway 14 was closed from Rustic to Gould, as of Thursday, Aug. 20. There was heavy fire traffic through the Poudre Canyon as crews access the fire area.
A portion of the Roosevelt National Forest was closed, including all National Forest System lands west of County Roads 69 and 63E, east of the Colorado State Forest, south of County Road 80 C and north of Rocky Mountain Park.
The closure had impacts on numerous recreation sites, including many trails and trailheads. A number of boating and fishing sites were closed, including Chambers Lake. Picnic sites closed include Bellaire Lake, Bennett Creek, Cameron Pass, Chambers Lake, Fish Creek and Tunnel.
Campgrounds closed include:
- Aspen Glen
- Bellaire Lake
- Big Bend
- Big South
- Browns Park
- Chambers Lake
- Grandview
- Jacks Gulch
- Long Draw
- North Fork
- Sleeping Elephant
- Tom Bennett
- Tunnel
PHOTOS: Cameron Peak Fire in Larimer County
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