The Spring Fire in Colorado is the largest wildfire that is ablaze in the state. There are currently nine wildfires burning across Colorado, all ranging in size and intensity. The Spring Fire, which was first reported on Wednesday, June 27, has consumed more than 50,000 acres and is only 5 percent contained. It has caused numerous evacuations and road closures.
The Spring Fire Is Located 160 Miles South of Denver
The fire is located just east of Fort Garland in Costilla and Huerfano Counties. It is approximately 160 miles south of the state’s capital of Denver. According to CBS Denver, more than 2,000 homes had to be evacuated because of the blaze. Mandatory evacuations were issued for Forbes Park, Wagon Creek Estates, Tres Valles, Paradise Acres, Raspberry Mountain, Pine Haven, and the Cuchara Valley. Navajo Ranch, Major Ranch, and those living in homes along CR 530 and south to Highway 160 have also been forced to evacuate.
More than 1,400 homes in Huerfano County were forced to evacuate as of July 1.
“It’s a very challenging fire, I’ll be honest with you, with all the wind changes,” Shane Greer, part of the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team, told residents on Sunday, according to CBS Denver.
Hundreds of firefighters have been battling the flames over the past five days.
“On Thursday, officials said 80 to 100 firefighters were battling the blaze, along with fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant and helicopters making water drops. At one point, fire crews were pulled out of the area due to the danger of advancing flames. Dry conditions, rough terrain and strong winds gave the fire the upper hand,” CBS News reported.
It’s these conditions that prohibit emergency personnel from containing this fire. The warm, dry weather coupled with the sustained winds (8-13 mph with higher gusts), continue to fuel this fire and make it difficult to contain.
Police Believe the Fire Was Started by a Human & Have Arrested Jesper Joergensen on Suspicion of Arson
A man by the name of Jesper Joergensen was taken into police custody, suspected of arson. As previously reported by Heavy, authorities believe that Joergensen started the fire last week.
“The initial cause of the fire was human caused,” the Costilla County Sheriff’s Department wrote on Facebook. “The investigation was lead by our office with the assistance of CBI, State arson investigators, CSP, and Immigration and Customs agents. Jesper Joergensen, 52, was arrested without incident by Costilla County deputies. Jesper is being held on Arson charges. The investigation is still on going so information on this matter is limited,” the post continued.
You can see footage of the Spring Fire in the video below.
Anyone with questions about the Spring Fire can call a hotline set up at 719-480-8719.