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Hewlett Fire Northwest Of Fort Collins, Day 1 Updates

View of the smoke cloud forming over the mountains on Mondayfrom the Hewitt Fire. This was taken near the KUNC studios in Greeley.
Jim Hill
/
KUNC
View of the smoke cloud forming over the mountains on Mondayfrom the Hewitt Fire. This was taken near the KUNC studios in Greeley.

Editor's Note: The Hewlett Fire was reported on Monday 05/14/12 on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest. The updates collected here are from Monday (05/14) and a few from Tuesday (5/15). You can find our updates on the fire from 5/15 and 5/16 archived in this post.

Update 1:35 p.m. 05/15/2012:

A small amount of containment has been reached with the fire, 5%. Total acreage is now 370 acres and the personnel on site fighting the fire total about 100. As more of the fire is contained, you can find updates now at this post.

Updated 9:00 a.m. 05/15/2012:

100 firefighters are expected to aggressively attack the Hewlett fire northwest of Fort Collins from the ground today. A Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and a Type 3 Helicopter will be also be used. Despite earlier reports no heavy air tanker will be used. The fire is estimated to be between 270 to 280 acres in size. There was some fire activity overnight when wildfires typically settle down. The burn area is located less than one mile from Poudre Park. Structures are near the fire, but none are immediately threatened. Residents in the area have been warned that they may have to evacuate. The fire started Monday afternoon around 1 o’clock. A cause has not been determined.

Update 7:19 a.m. 05/15/2012:

There is concern this morning that dry, windy weather will harm efforts to bring the fire under control. Winds up to 15 mph have been forecast. A heavy air tanker and helicopter have been requested, this is in addition to the four 20-person fire crews that are headed to the fire.

According to spokeswoman Reghan Cloudman, the fire is within a quarter mile of homes and calls have been made to 160 phone numbers to inform residents to prepare to leave.

Updated 10:30 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service says the fire was burning through timber, grass and brush on an estimated 250 to 280 acres northeast of the Hewlett Gulch trailhead in Poudre canyon. No structures were immediately threatened, but some residents were given pre-evacuation notices to prepare to leave. The fire is within a mile of Poudre Park. The cause of the fire wasn't immediately known.

Updated 9:30 p.m.

Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee Grassland spokesperson Reghan Cloudman says the Hewlett fire is now estimated at 250 to 280 acres. The latest updates can be found at: http://inciweb.org/incident/2863/

Update 6:24 p.m.

There are some more pictures from the Hewlett Fire at North Forty News.

Update 5:20 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service has upgraded the size of the Hewlett fire to 150 acres. According to their incident command page, the blaze is located less than one mile from Poudre Park. Residents from mile marker 110 - 115 a quarter mile north and south of Hwy 14 will be notified of the fire and should be prepared to evacuate if needed.

Update 4:55 p.m.

The City of Greeley is closely watching the Hewlett Fire saying via Twitter that it’s burning near some of the city’s water supplies.

Update 4:35 p.m.

Several media outlets are reporting the Hewlett fire is still between 100 and 150 acres in size. No structures are threatened by the blaze. The U.S. Forest Service hopes to aggressively fight this fire by the air and ground. As reported earlier a heavy air tanker has been ordered as well as a Type 1 helicopter. 3, 20 person crews have also been requested. This is on top of firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Larimer County Emergency Services and local resources that initially responded to the fire.

Update 3:50 p.m.

The U.S Forest Service has ordered a heavy air tanker to fight the Hewlett fire. The fire is burning northeast of the Hewlett Gulch Trailhead in Larimer County. It’s burning in open timber, brush and grass. No structures are immediately threatened.

Update 3:30 p.m.

The Hewlett Fire is now estimated at 150 acres in size. Additional fire details can be found at the following U.S. Forest Service website.

Update 3:15 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service says via Twitter that it has ordered 3, 20-person crews and a Type 1 helicopter to fight the Hewlett Fire.

Update 2:55 p.m.

Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee Grassland spokesperson Reghan Cloudman now says the Hewlett Fire is estimated at 100 acres. A single Engine Air Tanker is on its way to the scene.

Update 2:40 p.m.

The fire northwest of Fort Collins is now being called the Hewlett Fire.

Update 2:30 p.m.

The firs is now estimated at 40 acres. Structures are located near the fire, but none are immediately threatened.

Update 2:25 p.m.

The U.S. Forest Service says via twitter that they’ve ordered a single engine air tanker to help fight the fire.

Update 2:15 p.m.

The fire is estimated at 10 acres and is near the Hewlett Gulch Trail in the Poudre Canyon. Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forest and Pawnee Grassland spokesperson Reghan Cloudman says the fire is estimated at ten acres and growing. Approximately 40 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, Larimer County Emergency Services and local resources are responding.

Email: brian.larson@kunc.org