Hundreds of fire crews are battling a blaze in Northern Colorado that grew dramatically Wednesday, producing heavy smoke and flames. Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil. pic.twitter.com/iNyrBVDDUL, — Taebear :: PalehornTea (@PalehornTea) October 23, 2020. He poured the foundation of his home in the Winding River Valley subdivision just outside Grand Lake, and carefully set every log. However, there has been extensive damage in surrounding neighborhoods. While many residents and second-home owners in the area wait anxiously for word on the state of their houses, some already have received the grim news. Reed heard from his neighbors that his house was gone, even though he has not been able to go see his property for himself. The spot fire that threatened Estes Park on Thursday tamped down with more moisture and cold temperatures, with fire officials saying Friday evening they felt good about recent developments in that area. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night initially issued an evacuation order for all areas west of U.S. 34 along Grand Lake, a massive area which runs between Granby and Estes Park. Grandchildren are posting about the family on Twitter. “It was like going through the gates of hell.”. The old wooden buildings — rubble. But family members told Fox31 on Thursday night that they believe their grandparents, Lyle and Marylin Hileman, died while riding out the fire in a cement bunker in their Grand County home. Soon after came the code red. “They said not even a stick was left.”. The … The fire has also crossed US 34 near Grand Lake and moved into Rocky Mountain National Park, which remains closed at this time. The Universal…, The FIRC (Family & Intercultural Resource Center) is a well-established community non-profit with a mission to support family stability and…, The CSU Extension Office has a job opening for a 4-H Coordinator. Grand County officials have not confirmed any deaths related to the fire, while a list of people who have been unaccounted for remains small. Contributing: Miles Blumhardt, Fort … Why have models of Colorado’s coronavirus trajectory been off? Early Thursday morning, the East Troublesome fire burning in Grand County exploded in size — jumping from 30,000 acres to more than 125,000. Until this week, Matthew Reed had the house of his dreams, built largely by his own hands. His grandmother’s house — gone. She said she expects to know more by 5 p.m. today. PHOTOS: East Troublesome fire grows as residents evacuate near Granby. GRAND LAKE, Colo. (CBS4) – It’s still not clear how many structures were damaged or destroyed when the East Troublesome Fire tore through the area around the beloved town of Grand Lake on Wednesday, but evacuees are sharing images of some of the damage on social media. For Kristin Hulinsky, who has managed the Winding River Ranch for Busse the past two years, the Grand Lake property also became a home for her and her 7-year-old daughter. 1 firefighting priority in the nation. “I was in disbelief, thinking, ‘This really didn’t just happen. Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire. Duties are varied, but include assisting both students and teachers in day-to-day instruction as well as assisting…, We are now hiring for a full-time Snow removal/Landscape Technician for commercial properties. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Hulinky made it to Kremmling, before they too were given evacuation orders. “People are offering so much,” he said, as word of mouth spreads about the tragedy that has befallen him and his family. When Busse left hastily Wednesday, he moved some of his machinery onto the gravel but barely had time to grab anything from his house. The East Troublesome fire caused widespread destruction as it swept across Grand County on Wednesday night and Thursday morning toward Grand Lake, entering an area packed with homes, lodges and other businesses. GRAND LAKE, CO – OCT. 23: The Winding River Ranch in Grand Lake, pictured on Friday, Oct. 23, 2020, was burned by the East Troublesome fire. She said there was deep black smoke, with the fire glowing behind it. Jared Polis said during an afternoon briefing at the site of the CalWood fire in Boulder County. Allowing people to get back into the area to assess damage is something that will take time and happen once it’s safe to do so, Schroetlin said, adding that they will also continue to watch US 40 between Hot Sulphur Springs and Granby. Grand Lake Fire Protection District has been collecting slash piles at Columbine Station 2 since the beginning of the 2020 wildland season, this is NOT a public dumpsite we are only storing slash temporarily till it can be chipped. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday night initially issued an evacuation order for all areas west of U.S. 34 along Grand Lake, a massive area which runs between Granby and Estes Park. Reeves also left his home in Granby, where he could see the fire from his porch, and is now working with a team of administrators to track down families and teachers to ensure they’re OK. School has been canceled for the next week. Colorado 125 has been shut down between Granby and Walden because the fire has jumped the roadway. '”, Busse is one of countless people across Grand County trying to make sense of the East Troublesome fire after it ballooned nearly 150,000 acres in less than two days, melting cars, torching historic houses and consuming the livelihoods and sense of purpose of a community that preaches the motto “We are Grand.”. In his remarks, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin was thankful Thursday wasn’t as bad as Wednesday, and he said the sheriff’s office would be focused on life safety for now. It took him three years to sketch out and construct his home — on a piece of property where he proposed to his wife. “I would love that picture,” he said. That quickly shifted to mandatory evacuation. Breathtaking mountain and lake views surround you! It is 10% contained. If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do. “Like going through the gates of hell”: Grand Lake residents share horror of losing everything as East Troublesome fire exploded, Brush fire burns roughly 10 acres in Arapahoe County, Colorado looks to logging to help re-balance forests in an era of climate-triggered megafires, Cameron Peak Fire — Colorado’s largest wildfire on record — now 100% contained, The East Troublesome fire is 100% contained, One man killed in crash after getting ejected from vehicle on I-70, 2 arrested in connection with Greeley homicide, Denver weather: No white Christmas forecast for the metro area, with warm temperatures expected this weekend, “It’s a double whammy:” Colorado courts facing unprecedented backlog now hobbled by COVID-19 budget cuts. But Saturday could prove to be another serious day on the front lines, with forecasters calling for another Red Flag warning that could bring gusts up to 60 mph in the mountains and low relative humidity. “I was going through a real hard time in my life and this family and this ranch saved my life,” Hulinksy said, her voice wavering. The fire’s size is now estimated at 19,086. The fire had torched about 20,000 acres and was just 10% contained as it surged toward Grand Lake. Grand Lake Lodge’s general manager, Charity Baxter, said that she has been unable to confirm whether or not the lodge had burned as of this morning. The cab of a truck had melted. Competitive pay, sign-on bonus, ski pass…, Universal Banker Citywide Banks is seeking a Full-Time Universal Banker to join our team in Winter Park! Gilmour took a photo that night from the top of Trail Ridge Road, looking back at Grand Lake. The East Troublesome Fire, burning south of the Cameron Peak Fire in Grand County and into Rocky Mountain National Park, was at 170,163 acres as of Oct. 23 and just 5% contained. Denver Post reporter John Aguilar covers hot-button issues such as oil and gas, growth and transportation as they play out in the Denver suburbs. The fire experienced another 50,000 acres of growth by 5 p.m. Thursday. He and his family spent the first night as evacuees in Granby and are now staying with a friend of a friend in Winter Park. Fire in Grand Lake Colorado. “These people gave me a home, a job and faith.”. Busse transformed the space into a wedding venue and hosted veterans, who used the animals and serene wilderness to cope with trauma from the horrors of overseas combat. The Denver Post. This includes the historic Grand Lake Lodge, which has stood for 100 years. This includes the historic Grand Lake Lodge, which has stood for 100 years. He scooped up four laundry baskets worth of clothes, his two dogs and his 3-year-old daughter. Crone said that there were spot fires on Woodpecker Hill and around the lodge. If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. This includes the historic Grand Lake Lodge, which has stood for 100 years. Reed, who works for Mountain Parks Electric, said he was helping others evacuate in the vicinity of his home Wednesday when the pre-evacuation order came down. However, there has been extensive damage in surrounding neighborhoods. Those listening to scanners would eventually hear real discussion of structures being threatened, especially in the Columbine Lake area, calls for resources to save … The East Troublesome fire burns just a few miles from Granby in the early hours of Thursday morning, Oct. 22, 2020. “Like going through the gates of hell”: Grand…, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Submit to Stumbleupon (Opens in new window). “It was a challenging day,” the sheriff said as he talked about how quickly the East Troublesome Fire spread overnight and praised … But this week, those same trees that Busse used to climb were engulfed in flames — along with his house, his grandmother’s house and more than a dozen other buildings on the 240-acre ranch that he’s called home his entire life. 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