Beaver Creek Fire Destroys 12 Buildings
A total of 12 buildings burned as firefighters were forced to fall back to safety zones in the face of wind-driven flames and erratic behavior from the Beaver Creek Fire this week.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced Thursday evening that one cabin and eight outbuildings in the Parson's Draw development were overcome by flames on Wednesday. Three historic outbuildings were also destroyed at the Mitchell Placer Mine site south of Parson's Draw.
Firefighters prepared pumps, hoses, sprinklers and structure wrap in the area in order to protect 25 cabins, four residences and numerous outbuildings threatened by the advancing flames.
The Sheriff's Office says high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds combined to push the fire toward Parson's Draw on Wednesday. The intensity of the fire and accompanying ember wash gave firefighters no choice but to move back, resulting in the loss of the cabin and eight outbuildings.
Evacuation orders remain in place due to dangerous conditions on the fire perimeter.
The fire was last reported at 27,893 acres in size Thursday evening. The blaze is 12 percent contained with 278 personnel assigned to fight the flames burning 24 miles north of Walden, Colo.
Anyone seeking information on the condition of a residence in the evacuation area can contact Jackson County Sheriff Gary Cure at 970-723-4242.