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New evacuation orders after "significant growth" overnight on Colorado wildfire near Leadville
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- The Willow Fire near Leadville, Colorado, expanded by nearly 1,000 acres in 24 hours, prompting new evacuation orders including Halfmoon Road and Lake Fork Trailer Park.
- Fire crews had planned to use Halfmoon Road as a firebreak with controlled burns and slurry drops, but the fire's southward advance forced mandatory evacuations in that area.
- Additional pre-evacuation warnings were issued for areas farther south and southeast, including northern Twin Lakes and parts of State Highway 82 near Independence Pass, with new shelters opened in Buena Vista and Battle Mountain.
- The fire, which began June 28, now covers 3,957 acres with only 1% containment, and officials cite historic dryness and record-low fuel moisture as factors in its rapid growth.
- Leadville Regional Airport is closed to non-emergency flights, and the cause of the fire remains undetermined.
