Silverthorne Fire Forces Evacuations

The Buffalo Mountain fire near Silverthorne is growing.

As of this afternoon, 1,384 residences have been evacuated from Silverthorne area neighborhoods. The Silverthorne Recreation Center has been set up as a Red Cross emergency center. At this time no overnight shelters have been established but that could soon change. Authorities have asked residents in the Lower Buffalo area to start packing and be ready to evacuate. Evacuations at the top half of the Wildernest and Mesa Cortina areas are currently in progress.

The Summit Fire & EMS has requested help from area crews to help battle the blaze. Air Tankers have been dispatched as well. At this time, four heavy air tankers, two large DC-10 air tankers, a helicopter, and three Strike Team Heavy Engines are on the scene. Air tankers have been dumping fire retardant on the blaze. The fire is only 91 acres in size but growing. It's burning east and heading downhill less than 300 feet from structures and buildings.

Credit: Sky-Hi News