Fire crews reached their goal this weekend, bringing the Hayden Pass fire to 60 percent containment, officials said Monday.
The percentage accounts for the perimeter area closest to residential properties, meaning they're out of danger, fire officials previously told the Gazette. The rest of the fire will be allowed to continue burning in the high country, doing what officials said is a much-needed cleaning of the diseased forest. A total of 16,559 acres have burned.
Crews are now switching gears from dousing flames to downing dangerous trees.
Dead standing trees with weakened roots are a hazard to hikers, especially in heavily trafficked areas like the Rainbow Trail, so crews are bringing them down, officials said in a news release Monday. The cleanup is expected to be finished this week, the release said.
Another Burned Area Emergency Response community meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday to talk about the effects of the fire on the soil and environment. It is being held at the Cotopaxi High School gym, 345 County Road 12.
While Pike and San Isabel National Forests officials say fires are a part of a healthy life-cycle, they can also cause increased flood risks.
"Monsoonal moisture is anticipated to increase in the coming week with the possibility of producing heavy rain at times with a concern for flash floods developing," the release said.
Officials will be warning about potential problem areas during the meeting and talking about rehabilitation efforts. One project already underway is reseeding areas where firefighters cleared grass and brush to create safety zones.
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Contact Kaitlin Durbin: 636-0362
Twitter: @njKaitlinDurbin
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