Two wildfires in Colorado cause power outages, prompt evacuations
by KUNC-FM news staff | posted: September 16, 2019
Firefighters are working to contain two wildfires in Colorado that prompted mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders.
A wildfire near the Red Feather Lake area in the mountains northwest of Fort Collins has burned nearly 400 acres since it started late Sunday morning. Nearby residences were advised to voluntarily evacuate, and power was interrupted to hundreds of residents in the area.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Department said about 30 percent of the fire was contained late Sunday. It's believed the fire started from a burning vehicle.
Another fire broke out in Park County near the town of Bailey, about 45 miles southwest of Denver.
The fire burned about 11 acres but was close enough to some rural homes in the area to force evacuations.
A wildfire in the mountains northwest of Fort Collins has prompted a voluntary evacuation order for some homes.
The Larimer County Sheriff's Department said the fire burned about 150 acres near the Glacierview Gates subdivision Sunday. The area is about 35 miles from Fort Collins, near the Red Feather Lakes area.
The sheriff's department said on Twitter that a few homes were under voluntary evacuation orders but didn't say how many.
Officials said a car fire started the blaze. One aircraft was on the scene and firefighters requested more.
The Poudre Valley Rural Electric Association says it cut power to some customers. Utilities usually turn off power in fire areas to keep live lines from falling if poles burn.