Sylvan Fire Grows To 3,300+ Acres In White River National Forest, With No Containment
EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Firefighters continue to fight the Sylvan Fire as it grows in the White River National Forest about 12 miles south of Eagle. The fire has burned 3,359 acres with no containment since it was reported on Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday night, it pushed further east and reached Sylvan Lake. Cloud cover lifted giving the fire enough fuel to jump hundreds of acres.
Evacuation orders are in place for several areas including Sylvan Lake State Park, Crooked Creek Pass, Yeoman Park and Lede Reservoir area. Residents in the small town of Fulford were told to evacuate Tuesday evening. No homes or structures have been lost so far, but people with homes there are asked to check Eagle County emergency website.
Those with livestock are urged to move the animals to designated areas.
Fire crews are continuing to work to keep the wildfire in a defined area as they strengthen fire lines and incorporate natural barriers such as aspen stands and rocky areas.
On Monday afternoon and evening, the fire moved south, putting up a large column of smoke as it burns in heavy timber. Crews made retardant drops and say that, combined with natural barriers, kept the fire from moving over Red Table Ridge and into the Fryingpan drainage. Crews will continue to keep the fire north of Red Table Ridge a priority on Tuesday.
The weather is expected to be hot, dry and windy as firefighters anticipate another day of active fire behavior. The blaze is expected to put out a lot of smoke as it continues to burn through heavy timber.
The cause of the fire is under investigation but lightning is suspected. About 75 fire personnel are assigned to the fire along with both a light and heavy helicopter. Air tankers are available as needed.
There is a closure in White River National Forest due to the Sylvan Fire. Some Eagle County residents remain evacuated.