The Hayden Pass Fire, near Coaldale, has consumed 16,414 acres and the Beaver Creek Fire, Northwest of Walden, has burned in excess of 25,431 acres.

While firefighters battled both blazes, there was an increased concern about the aftermath,that ash and debris from the burn zone will eventually make its way into the Arkansas River.

While many people conjure up images of Manitou Springs, which caused major flood damage several times following the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2013. Authorities have informed that big population areas in Fremont County were farther downstream and in much broader valleys.

Canon City’s Water Superintendent informed that, if there would be a significant rainstorm, they might have to shut-off the water treatment plant’s intake valves, until the ash and debris from the storm has washed by.

Bob Hartzman said that the city uses about 8 million gallons of water per day during the peak summer months, so that they can only shut down the intake valves for a couple of days.

The Superintendent said that if the debris flow would last longer than that, they’ll have to reopen the valves to let the polluted water sit in settling ponds before it’s treated. He told, “We may have to use additional chemicals”

Parks and Wildlife officials were also very much concerned about ash and debris.They have planned to capture 1,000 Greenback Cutthroat Trout from Hayden Creek near Coaldale. Parks & Wildlife spokesman Kyle Davidson said “It’ll be a dangerous operation. Many of the nearby trees are burned and could fall over. They’ll be taken to a nearby hatchery where we can preserve and study them,”

The Hayden Pass Fire was three times larger than the 2013 Royal Gorge Fire, but was not expected to have as big an impact on the recreation industry.

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By Prakriti Neogi