Citizens evacuated as firefighters battle huge WILDFIRE in the US
CITIZENS have been evacuated as a sweeping wildfire ravages Breckenridge in Colorado.
Towns have been evacuated as the fire approaches Breckenridge
The blaze has reportedly destroyed 80 acres of trees and grassland as land and air fire crews tackle to stop the inferno before it reaches the large town.
The Red Cross announced Frisco Middle School would serve as an evacuation point for the 463 residences of Peak 7 who have been evacuated.
Breckenridge Police Department officials said: “Shekel and all of Breckenridge should be prepared to evacuate due to wildland fire”.
Breckenridge is an iconic ski resort and officials are worried that the growing wildfire may force an evacuation of “all the citizens”.
Elite US Forest Service smokejumpers have parachuted into area, alongside two heavy tankers which have been making slurry runs.
Officials warned all residents and those taking photos nearby not to fly drones, as they may disrupt firefighting efforts.
The Colorado national guard has been mobilised to fight the blaze alongside Peak 2 firefighters.
Fire crews are working to contain a fast-growing wildfire burning between Frisco and Breckenridge. The entire town… https://t.co/zW8Ry0ib25 pic.twitter.com/pd7S8IINRM
— 9NEWS Denver (@9NEWS) July 5, 2017
@VORTEXJeff pyrocumulus beginning to form on wildfire near Frisco, CO pic.twitter.com/LnCEWIfXk2
— Ben Bleiman (@benblei) July 5, 2017
Wildfire Information Officer Jody Lucius said: “47 wildfire firefighters are responding, along with several aircraft, two water tenders and a heavy equipment vehicle.
“We are seeing that there are residences threatened by this fire.”
Summit County Undersheriff Joel Cochran said: “We don’t want people to be out of their homes any longer than they need to be.
“We don’t know (how long the evacuations will last). We don’t know what the fire will do (Friday).”
Kate Jerman, a spokeswoman for the Peak 2 fire command, said: “The cloud cover affected the relative humidity, which kept the fire behavior minimal.”
The Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management have released a tweet which said: “If you feel threatened you do NOT need to wait for an official evacuation notice to leave. When in Doubt, Get Out!”
Summit County Emergency representatives will be holding a press conference at 2:00am BST (7:00pm in Colorado).