It Could Be Days Before Cold Springs Fire Evacuees Can Return Home
NEDERLAND, Colo. (CBS4) - The Boulder Office of Emergency Management on Sunday issued orders for 700 additional residents to evacuate as the Cold Springs Fire doubled in size.
That put the total number of evacuees at 1,991.
At least three homes were destroyed, although officials believe that number to be higher. Three outbuildings also burned.
Shifting winds and high temperatures put even more homes in danger.
Evacuees packed the Nederland High School gymnasium to learn that the won't be going back home anytime soon.
"We're just waiting like everybody else. Praying, hoping for the best," said Peggy Hinchman, an evacuee.
PHOTO GALLERY: Cold Springs Fire
She said that she was grateful that the losses so far were only material.
"My son passed away five years ago, and the notes from his funeral are there in a wooden box, which of course, I can't replace. But everything else is replaceable," Hinchman said.
The growing blaze brought on some anxiety.
"This is a little bit surreal," said Carol Pike, another evacuee. "This is the first time that I've ever gone through any kind of natural disaster."
Pike and her dog Crouton were staying at a shelter set up for evacuees. Their home is just a hill away from where the fire was raging.
"It would need the worst conditions to get to my house. That's my optimistic belief at this moment, and that's kind of what I'm hanging onto," Pike said.
Officials told evacuees Sunday that it may be days longer before they can go back home.
LINK: Boulder Office of Emergency Management Fire Updates
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Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.