CANON CITY, Colo. (AP) — A wildfire sparked by lightning on Monday near Canon City has charred about 500 acres, prompting a pre-evacuation notice and requests for more firefighters.
The Eightmile Fire grew to just under a square mile Friday from 60 acres reported earlier. Fire information officer Dusty Romero said an additional 80 firefighters have been requested.
Around 9 p.m. Friday, a pre-evacuation notice was issued for 16 homes in the Red Rocks subdivision, which alerted people to be ready to flee if needed.
The fire, which is zero percent contained, is burning in steep, rugged terrain on Bureau of Land Management land in Phantom Canyon. Fire managers said Saturday the previously reported area of 700 acres burned was reduced to 500 after overnight infrared mapping.
“Steep terrain, you’re in the canyon where the initial, natural start was, it’s pretty steep slopes,” said Brian Davies, Front Range District Manager. “It’s not just one resource, there are multiple resources.”
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Wildfire Resources
– Visit CBSDenver.com’s Wildfire Resources section.
Wildfire Photo Galleries
– See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.
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