Boulder warns of possible spread of fire into city

By The AP
Thursday, September 9, 2010

BOULDER — Boulder residents were warned to be ready to evacuate today as officials feared a wildfire that has destroyed at least 169 homes in the nearby foothills could get pushed into the city by wind gusts expected to reach 60 mph.

People who live west of Broadway, the main north-south road on Boulder’s west side, were urged to clear out lawn furniture and propane tanks, mow tall grass and move extra brush from the west side of their homes to avoid the possibility of fueling the fire. The city was mowing grass in open spaces.

“This is absolutely a precaution. But it’s an active fire. High winds are expected,” emergency management team spokesman Dan Rowland said.

In steep canyons about five miles west of the city, firefighters were trying to secure fire lines around a 10-square-mile blaze that started Monday and was quickly fanned by gusty winds.

Wind gusts could blow away the little moisture the area has seen and spread the fire beyond the 20-mile perimeter.