Elderly couple killed, woman missing in Colorado wildfire

[News_Editor]

Elderly couple killed, woman missing in Colorado wildfire

2012-03-28 20:10:00 GMT+7 (ICT)

DENVER, COLORADO (BNO NEWS) -- An elderly married couple has been found dead at their home while a third adult remains missing as a large wildfire continues to burn near Denver in Colorado, officials said on late Tuesday.

The Lower North Fork Fire is believed to have initially started as a controlled burn set by the Colorado State Forest Service last week on land belonging to the Denver Water Board in a mountainous area just southwest of Denver. But it sprang back to life on Monday afternoon, reaching 3,000 acres (1,214 hectares) within hours.

Fueled by high winds, the fire had burned 4,500 acres (1,821 hectares) by Tuesday evening, according to a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. "We have confirmed that 23 homes have been damaged by the fire," the spokesperson said. "We are currently confirming addresses before notifying the owners of the homes."

Officials also recovered the bodies of an elderly married couple at their house inside the fire perimeter. One body was discovered inside the home, the other was found outside, the sheriff's office said. The victims were identified as 77-year-old Samuel Lucas and 76-year-old Linda Lucas.

At least one person is believed to be missing in the affected area. "The Sheriff's Office has also been notified of an additional unaccounted for adult female associated with the fire," the spokesperson said, giving no details about her identity. "We do know that she does live within the fire perimeter."

Colorado Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia, who is acting governor of the state as Governor John Hickenlooper is on a trade mission to Mexico, on Tuesday also authorized the deployment of the National Guard to provide firefighting assistance. "We are concerned first and foremost with the safety of people and property in the fire zone," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers are also with those families who have already lost their homes."

In an executive order, Garcia ordered all state departments and agencies to take 'whatever actions may be required and requested' by the Director of the Division of Emergency Management or the Colorado State Forest Service, including provision of appropriate staff and equipment as necessary. The order also activates the State Emergency Operations Plan.

As a result of the order, the Colorado Army National Guard launched two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters on Tuesday to help battle the Lower North Fork Fire, which remains at 0 percent containment. Each helicopter is equipped with a 500-gallon (1,900 liters) bucket to drop water on the fire.

In addition, a SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker), a Heavy Tanker dropping retardant and two helicopters from Buckley Air Force Base are also battling the wildfire. Approximately 200 firefighters were on scene on Tuesday, but authorities expect this number will reach more than 450 on Wednesday.

"Throughout the day we have seen continued and increased erratic fire behavior," a sheriff's office spokesperson said. "Due to this behavior a pre-evacuation notice was sent to 6,500 homes. Those home that were notified included homes located in City View, Hilldale Pines, Deer Creek Mesa, White Deer Valley, Homewood Park, Murphy Gulch, S. Deer Creek Canyon Rd., Jennings Rd., and Watson Gulch."

Wednesday's weather forecast is calling for winds that are about 8 to 14 miles (12.8 to 22.5 kilometers) per hour with a higher temperature of more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 degrees Celsius). "Today's fire strategy will focus on moving from primarily point protection to establishing containment," the sheriff's department said on early Wednesday morning.

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