Editor's Note: The Hewlett Fire was reported on Monday 05/14/12 on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest. The updates collected here are from Tuesday (5/15) and Wednesday (5/16) of the fire. Our coverage from the first day of the fire is archived in this post.
UPDATE 08:18 a.m. 05/17/2012: KUNC has confirmed that the Hewlett Fire is now 5,090 acres. Coverage will move to this post with these new developments.
Updated 5:00 p.m. 05/16/2012
Erratic, shifting winds today have caused growth in the fire and thick, heavy smoke. Persistent winds are expected tonight with winds out of the west between 10 and 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. The fire is within a quarter mile of some homes. Two separate groups of residents have received notices to be prepared for possible evacuations, but no one has had to leave. Alert notifications have also been sent to residents of Bonner Peak and Bonner Springs subdivision for the Hewlett Fire. The blaze is still only 5% contained.
Updated 2:00 p.m. 05/16/2012
Today’s fire conditions have been worse than the previous two days. This due in part to the spread of the fire into heavy timber and gustier winds in advance of a weather front moving in. While the fire has grown, no evacuations have been ordered. Discussions are taking place for preparedness. A notification was sent to those living in a one mile radius of Mount Mahogany and Gordon Creek Lane. All residents in this area are asked to prepare for a possible evacuation.
Updated at Noon 05/16/2012
The Hewlett Fire has spread into heavier patches of timber and as a result is putting up darker smoke. The fire is still being reported at 982 acres and 5% containment. No evacuation orders have been ordered. However residents from mile marker 110 - 115 1/4 mile north and south of Hwy 14 in the Poudre Canyon have been notified about being prepared to evacuate if needed.
Update 9:00 a.m. 05/16/2012
Additional resources will be working the fire today that has now consumed 982 acres. 200 firefighters are on scene and a heavy air tanker and Type 1 and Type 3 helicopters will assist efforts in the air. The fire is only 5% contained. It is burning in steep and rugged terrain which makes ground efforts difficult.
Gusty winds are also possible today in advance of a weather front. That could cause the fire to grow. The fire is located less than one mile from Poudre Park. Structures are located near the fire but none are immediately threatened. So far, the fire has been expanding away from these homes. The Hewlett fire is human caused but still under investigation.
Updated 8:50 p.m.
The latest estimate on the size of the Hewlett Fire is 640 acres. This is based on a better assessment from the air and growth of the fire today. The fire is only 5% contained and is human caused. Details are still under investigation. Further updates can be found at http://inciweb.org/incident/2863/
Updated 3:45 p.m.
The latest update on the Hewlett fire lists the fire size as 400 acres. It is still listed at only 5% containment. The number of firefighters working the blaze has increased to 150.
Updated 1:30 p.m.
A Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) and the Type 1 and 3 helicopters are currently working on the fire. 100 firefighters are on the ground. The fire is still estimated at 370 acres and 5% containment.
Updated 11:15 a.m.
The Hewlett fire burning northwest of Fort Collins has grown to 370 acres and is 5% contained. Temperatures are expected to warm up this afternoon and winds up to 20 mph are expected over the burn area. 100 firefighters are on scene and more have been ordered. Air support is coming from a (SEAT) Single Engine Air Tanker and will likely focus on structure protection today. There are structures near the fire but none are immediately threatened. Residents in and around Poudre Park are on notice to evacuate if needed.
http://youtu.be/6OrqwwB19vo
