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Cloud Cover Obscures Huge Fires Raging in Colorado

Fires in Colorado
Cloud cover obscures the three largest fires currently raging in Colorado.

Cloud cover obscures the three largest fires currently raging in Colorado.

The Lake Christine Fire which is northwest of Aspen started on July 3, 2018 by human means. It is located 1 mile northwest of Basalt, CO. Extreme fire behavior on July 4 necessitated evacuations of several hundred residents by the Eagle Creek Sheriff’s Office. Local crews worked through the night, saving hundreds of homes. Unfortunately, three homes were destroyed. The fire has grown to 5,263 acres. The weather forecast has increased humidity and cloud cover leading to moderating fire conditions. Thunderstorms are forecast in the area with potential for strong outflow winds. The rain may help but it also portends lightning which could strike and cause further fires to break out. As strong winds are forecast as well, this too could assist in fire growth.

The Weston Pass fire began with a lightning strike on June 28, 2018. It has grown over the past week plus to 12,902 acres and is 17% contained. It is located 9 miles southwest of Fairplay, CO. July 6 will bring isolated showers and thunderstorms developing late morning, becoming more scattered after noon. Highs are forecast to be 75-80F, with minimum RH 20-25%. East winds will be 8-13 mph with gusts to 20 mph. The lightning with storms, winds, and low humidity will provide opportunities for the fire to grow.

The Spring Creek fire located 9 miles NE of Ft. Garland, CO and began on June 27, 2018 is now at 103,657 acres. Over 1,400 personnel are currently battling this fire. Only 37% of the fire is contained at present. Overall fire activity is expected to be less than previous days, however, fire will remain active in the heavier fuels as the day heats up. Higher wind gusts, and outflow winds from passing thunderstorms could push the fire in any direction.

Although the cloud cover in this satellite image obscures much of the fire activity, the hotspots detected by the Suomi NPP satellite can clearly be seen. These hotspots. outlined in red, are actively burning areas detected by Suomi NPP’s VIIRS instrument.

NASA image courtesy NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS) project. Caption: Lynn Jenner with information from Inciweb.

Suomi NPP is managed by NASA and NOAA.