ST LOUIS (LALATE) – Black Forest Fire officials this morning praised federal and Colorado state evacuation resources including the effort to keep the Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map updated twice per date. In a news briefing this morning, Sheriff Maketa advised news that there is little that firefighters can do once a entire dense forest area around homes is engulfed in tree burning limbs. But he said that resources have achieved new containment numbers overnight.

The Black Forest Fire Evacuation map was updated this morning by news June 14, 2013. In fact, Sheriff Maketa praised both federal and local resources in deploying such quite firefighting resources while also updating news and residents so quickly this week. In a news briefing, Maketa said the “intention is to update the home assessment list a couple of times throughout the day.” He advised news that containment is now at five percent and could improve soon. But he added “I have never seen national resources deployed so quickly. I’m very pleased with the response.”

Maketa has been holding news briefings twice per day and will do the same today with any changes to the Black Forest Fire Evacuation map. “Next media briefing will be at 5 pm this afternoon”, his office told news. Officials are also alerting residences to use their call line for fire updates. But some confusion has erupted about that number. “The tip line at 444-8393 is NOT for general information. Please continue to call 444-8300 for information.”

Thirteen thousand homes remain on evocation today. A major expansion in evacuation lines were announced Thursday afternoon, as reported on LALATE. Officials did not anticipate this morning any major new changes to evacuation lines Friday. But amid possible weather changes, they are advising residents in pre-evacuation zones to be alert. “We have a large area — when you are thinking about 15,000 acres — where you can drive through one hour and things look pretty well calmed down. Then we get a gust of wind and the next thing you know, we have a ranging flame. We’re seeing that all over,” Maketa said.

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – A new Colorado Springs Fire Evacuation Map 2013 today caused major concern for Black Forest Fire officials. A new Colorado Springs mandatory evacuation order zone emerged late today June 13, 203 after a news briefing by officials. The news also came as indication that the Black Forest Fire has now become the most destructive in state history.

The latest Colorado Springs Fire Evacuation Map aka Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map was announced to news roughly an hour ago. There were two changes to it.

This evening, official told news that the Black Forest Fire has now destroyed more homes than any other Colorado fire in history. The total number is now at 360. The fire is currently at fifteen thousand acres as well.
The latest fire map is below. Red/pink zones indicate mandatory evacuation. Yellow indicates voluntary or pre-evacuation. For continuing coverage of this and the other Colorado wildfires click HERE.

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – A Williams Olefins plant explosion, fire and haz-mat incident has struck Geismar, LA today June 13, 2013 . The cause of the Geismar, Louisiana explosion remains unknown.

The Williams Olefins explosion has resulted in multiple injures. Reporter Rob Krieger tweets news moments ago that “Source tells me nearby plants sheltering in place and local hospital alerted to expect patients”. He adds that black smoking is spreading in the area.

Krieger also tell news that there were over a thousand employees on the plant at the time. “Hearing plant exploded is Williams Olefins Plant they work w/ ethylene…Source says at least 1,000 employees from CBI at plant. Still working to confirm.”

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – The Black Forest Fire map spread to an update evacuation zone area near Colorado Springs late last night. The latest news update on the Colorado Springs Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map and the overall Black Forest Fire Map for today June 13, 2013 includes two new areas; the areas were not identified as a concern prior to Wednesday afternoon. In a news briefing late last night, officials warned that the they are now seeking residents’ attentions into two new Black Forest Fire Evacuation areas. One is a mandatory zone and one is a pre-evacuation zone.

Finally, several county officials are warning residents to evacuate sooner rather than later. In a news statement, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said late yesterday “if you are not in the current evacuation or pre-evacuation areas there is currently no immediate danger to your home, family, or business, but the fire is growing and may be moving toward you as weather and wind conditions change. Now is the time to get ready. Refine your evacuation plans, and gather the things you’ll need if you must evacuate.” The latest fire map is below. Red/pink zones indicate mandatory evacuation. Yellow indicates voluntary or pre-evacuation. For continuing coverage of this and the other Colorado wildfires click HERE.

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ST LOUIS (LALATE) – The Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map 2013 latest news update tonight added two new sections: a mandatory evacuation zone for Elbert County and a voluntary evacuation Area A zone for Colorado Springs. Officials tell news that the Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map grew in the north and west tonight. In a news briefing, officials are now concerned about Elbert County. Plus, there is a new “Voluntary evacuation Area A for Colorado Springs” which is different than the “Pre-Evacuation Zone” issued to news last night.

The Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map took a dramatically difference appearance after a 5 pm news conference tonight June 12, 2013. As reported this morning on LALATE, the map remained unchanged this morning. But during a midday news conference, officials extended the map slightly in the north and slightly in the west, while keeping its southern and easterly lines unchanged.

The map, originally denoted by the red / pink zone in the middle (zone 1), however, suddenly took a dramatically difference appearance tonight. Now, the Black Forest Fire Evacuation Map had added a massive section in the north, called the Elbert County mandatory evacuation zone (zone 2).

El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa told news tonight that the fire’s size remains in doubt. While it is being reported by news as only 8500 acres, he guesses that the fire might have reached 12,000 acres. The number of evacuees is close to ten thousand residents, more than three thousand homes. Earlier today, Maketa complained about a lack of resources. He still only has les than five hundred firefighters from 28 local fire districts.

Second, officials are adding another zone tonight. This is different than the original Pre-Evacuation Zone. For tonight June 13, 2013, there is a new “Voluntary Evacuation Area A for Colorado Springs”. Where is this zone? This zone is marked below with the pale yellow area right on 87. It is primarily Northgate, north of Briargate, and south of Gleneagle. Fire officials now tell news that they are worried about the Black Forest Fire moving to the west. “A Voluntary Evacuation means that the fire is moving closer to you. A mandatory evacuation order may be issued at any time.”The latest fire map is below. For continuing coverage of this and the other Colorado wildfires click HERE.

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