Boulder County officials have opened more roads in the foothills as crews hope calmer winds today will help them swing the tide in fighting the 600-acre Cold Springs Fire.
The road closures on the Peak to Peak Highway and Sugarloaf Road were lifted on Monday, though Boulder Canyon Drive and Magnolia Road remain closed, as aerial crews are conducting water drops over the road as the concern for spot fires remains.
But the tone after Monday's firefighting efforts was largely positive, as Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said crews were able to hold the fire to 606 acres despite 30 mph gusts.
"Once the weather changes and this wind subsides, we are going to turn a corner, and were going to start making significant progress and changes in regards to evacuation areas and road openings," Pelle said on Monday evening.
The firefighters may be getting the break they've been looking for, as the National Weather Service is calling for a high of 77 today in Nederland with wind gusts only as high as 15 mph.
Five homes and three outbuildings have been destroyed by the fire so far, and a total of 1,991 people have been ordered from their homes.
The two homes that were confirmed to have been destroyed Monday were at 2315 and 2454 Ridge Road, according to the Boulder Office of Emergency Management. The other three that were confirmed to have burned earlier were on Bonanza Drive, North Sky View Drive and Sherwood Drive.
There are 65 homes within the fire perimeter.
About 586 personnel were on scene along with 24 aircraft were active on Monday. Officials have not yet said how many will be on scene today.
Two men from Alabama have been arrested on suspicion of arson after reportedly admitting to police their unattended campfire started the blaze.
Mitchell Byars: 303-473-1329, [email protected] or twitter.com/mitchellbyars.
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