The Beaver Fire, burning west of the Pingree Park Road and east of Colorado State University Mountain Campus, saw massive growth since Tuesday.
The fire increased from 8.5 acres to 65 acres within a short time Tuesday due to a burnout operation, and the blaze grew again from 65 acres to 85 acres and was 25% contained by Wednesday, according to a series of emails to The Collegian from Reghan Cloudman, public affairs specialist for the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.
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By Thursday, the fire increased to 92 acres and was 35% contained.
There are two helicopters and approximately 60 firefighters currently working to suppress the fire.
The burnout operation, which caused the increase in the amount of land burnt by the fire, could not take place until Tuesday when weather conditions were most appropriate.
The Tom Bennett Campground is temporarily closed to the public as firefighters use the grounds as a staging area and camp. National Forest System Road 145, as well as access to the Emmaline Lake Trail, will also be closed temporarily until further notice.
Anyone looking to find alternate trails is encouraged to call the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forest visitor information office at 970-295-6700. Both the Arapaho Roosevelt National Forest Twitter account, @usfsarp, and the Canyon Lakes Ranger RD Twitter account, @usfsclrd, will continue to post updates about the Beaver Fire.
Delaney Allen can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @DelaneyAllen0.
