Firefighters aggressively battled the Buffalo wildfire through the night Tuesday, preventing it from spreading beyond the 91 acres it consumed two miles west of Silverthorne. So far, no one has been injured and no homes have been destroyed.
“Without a doubt, this is a serious situation, but wildfire is a reality that we live with here in the western United States,” said White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams. “The good news is that all the right people are here, and we’re attacking the fire aggressively, with firefighter and public safety as the top priority.”
A total of 150 firefighters are battling the blaze by putting out sparks and embers. On Wednesday, hand crews using saws will work to build a control line through beetle-kill timber on the north and west flanks of the fire. So far there is zero containment.
[ Map: Wildfires in Colorado and the United States ]
Firefighters will continue mop-up efforts to secure the perimeter adjacent to the Mesa Cortina and Wildernest neighborhoods, a news release says. Fire officials have evacuated 1,384 homes and have issued pre-evacuation notices to 1,160 homes in the Wildernest neighborhood below Twenty Grand Road.
“We know this is very difficult and frightening for our community, but we are working hard to keep everyone safe,” Fitzwilliams said. As the incident continues, please pay close attention to the directions of law enforcement.”
A public meeting is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Silverthorne Pavilion, 400 Blue River Parkway.
Evacuees can go to Frisco Elementary School, 800 Eighth Ave. beginning at 7 p.m. The Silverthorne Recreation Center is providing free showers during its regular operating hours Wednesday for all evacuees.
