Waldo Canyon Fire Update July 3, 2012 Pm
Incident: Waldo Canyon Fire Wildfire
Released: 7/3/2012
Waldo Canyon Fire Update
For Immediate Release: July 3, 2012, 8 p.m.
Public Information: www.inciweb.org
719-520-7058, 720- 520-7059, 720-202-4510, 720-402-7935 ,720-237-3417, 720-202-8521
(Joint Information Center Open Daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Fire Facts:
Date started: June 23, 2012
Number of Personnel: 1,286
Location: West of Colorado Springs
Crews: 32
Size: 18,247 acres
Engines: 48
Percent Contained: 80%
Estimated Containment: 7/8/12
Dozers: 13
Water Tenders: 14
Cause: Under investigation
Helicopters: 2 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 1 Type 3
Structures lost 346
Structures damaged 25
Injuries to Date: 5
Cost to Date: $13,600
Today's Events:
Firefighters performed a lot of mop-up work today. They were able to complete mop-up work in the northwest where they had initiated a burn out operation just a few days ago. Crews scouted for rehabilitation work needing to be completed in the south and eastern part of the burn. The contingency line on Mt. Herman Road is approximately 60% completed. There was no growth in perimeter today, with only the large interior island burning out, causing the increase in acreage.
Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, and Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, visited the fire area and were provided a briefing on the fire today by Incident Commander, Rich Harvey. Secretary Vilsack urged citizens to purchase flood insurance, as there is a 30 day waiting period before the insurance is activated. Most evacuations have been lifted with the exception of some residents in the damaged Mountain Shadows subdivision.
Firefighters will be available at the Incident Command Post for any new starts due to lightning. Tomorrow they will facilitate power pole replacement and patrol and mop-up where appropriate. Snags will be removed that pose a threat to recreational users of the area. Firefighters will continue to build the contingency line on Mt. Herman Road.
Evacuations and Closures
Evacuations are still in effect. For more information, go to http://springsgov.com/ or http://www.elpasoco.com/.
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