WALDEN, Colo. -- The largest wildfire currently burning in Colorado has scorched more than 43 square miles and destroyed a cabin and several outbuildings.
Fire officials said high temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds this week pushed the Beaver Creek Fire toward the Parson's Draw development. Wind-whipped flames forced firefighters to retreat, and one cabin and eight outbuildings were burned. In addition, three historic outbuildings were destroyed at the Mitchell Placer Mine south of Parson's Draw.
Firefighters had placed structure protection, including pumps, hoses, sprinklers, and structure wrap, in the area in anticipation of the fire's movement, the Forest Service said.
No injuries were reported.
The fire has burned 30,137 acres between Walden, Colo. and the Wyoming border. It was reported June 19 and is not expected to be contained until October. Investigators have not determined what caused the blaze.
There are 278 fire personnel fighting the fire in heavy, beetle-killed timber, the Forest Service said.
Because of the increase in fire activity, officials said work shifts have been added to provide 24-hour staffing on the fire.
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