Boulder, CO fire causes evacuations and large power outage

UPDATE @ 1:35 p.m., Ocotober 29

The size is now estimated at 134 acres, according to Boulder OEM.

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12:30 p.m., October 29

The Boulder Dome fire is causing evacuations on the west side of Boulder, Colorado. It started at 8:10 a.m. Friday in the Elephant Buttress of Boulder Canyon and as of noon had burned only about 20 acres but required 1,600 homes to evacuate. Firefighters will be conducting a burnout this afternoon, and to accomplish it safely, the electrical power will be shut off to a large section of the west side of Boulder for about four hours. Power is expected to be out from 28th Street west all the way to Nederland and from Baseline Road north to Iris Avenue.

After noon today the TV reporters said the winds decreased as did the rate of spread of the fire. At 12:30 the smoke was blowing toward the north or northeast.

The Sugarloaf weather station at 11:00 a.m. recorded a wind speed of 7 mph gusting to 15 out of the southwest, a temperature of 73, and a relative humidity of 12%. The maximum RH last night was an amazingly low 20%, while the 10-hour time lag fuel moisture is a very low 5.4%.

One or more single engine air tankers worked the fire during the morning, and after noon a heavy air tanker from Grand Junction arrived on scene.

More information:

• Official map of evacuated areas (from Boulder Office of Emergency Management)
• Here is an unofficial map that shows the fire location as well as the evacuation and power outage areas.
• Live streaming coverage from 9news. (UPDATE: the live coverage ended at 1 p.m, saying if the fire activity picks up, they will return to live coverage)
• Daily Camera
• Boulder Office of Emergency Management
• Data from the Sugarloaf weather station near Boulder
• The Denver Channel has pictures taken by viewers.
• Weather information about the fire area, from the National Weather Service.
• Web cam from NCAR Foothills Laboratory
• Web cam from NOAA

Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire. View all posts by Bill Gabbert