Smoke along the Front Range today is coming from several large wildfires burning in the state. The Cameron Peak Fire burning near Red Feather Lakes has grown to 2,179 acres as of 12:40 p.m. since it started yesterday afternoon.
Fire managers have placed a closure order on areas near the blaze. Larimer County Sheriff has closed Highway 14 between Rustic and Gould and issued mandatory evacuation orders, including local campgrounds.
#CameronPeakFire ALERT - Due to fire activity and the potential for growth, LCSO is asking people to avoid the Crown Point area, Long Draw area, areas west of Red Feather and south of Deadman, and the southern end of the Laramie River Valley. Fire danger is still extremely high.
— Larimer Sheriff (@LarimerSheriff) August 14, 2020
Colorado’s ongoing drought with continued hot, dry and breezy weather is creating active fire conditions. Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grasslands’ Erin Wycliff said they’re bringing in outside help.
“We are flying the fire to get a better size up,” Wycliff said. “Firefighters are being assisted by several helicopters, and preparing for the arrival of additional resources and the Type 2 (Incident Command) Team.”
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is asking people to avoid going into the Poudre Canyon and Red Feather Lakes area over the weekend.
