Regional
(2010-09-06)
BOULDER, CO
(KUNC) -
The blaze has made for a nervous Labor Day for homeowner like Phyllis O'Connell."There are a lot of homes up there," says O'Connell, "it's scary when that happens because there aren't that many roads in and out and the wind is really moving quickly, and it's been real dry lately, lots of grass and it could go really quick."
She went down to boulder for brunch, and hasn't been able to return to her home.
Several areas are under evacuation orders, including Pine Brook Hills, Boulder Heights, Whispering Pines, Gold Hill, and the Sugar Loaf Areas. Roadways remain closed as well, including Highway 119 from Boulder to Nederland, Olde Stage Road, and Sunshine, Lefthand and Fourmile Canyon Roads. Boulder Canyon also remains closed Monday evening.
Evacuation centers have been set up at the North Boulder Recreation Center, the Nederland Community Center and New Vista High School in Boulder. The Boulder County Fairgrounds is set up to accept large animals that were evacuated and the Longmont Humane Society is also taking in some animals.
Erratic winds gusting to 45 mph spread the flames both to the west and northeast and kept firefighting planes grounded. A billowing, white plume of heavy smoke is visible for miles. The fire's cause is unknown.
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