Mother Nature working against firefighters in Decker Fire containment

Updated Oct. 6, 2019 3:20 PM

The Decker Fire burns two miles south of Salida, Colorado, in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, according to InciWeb, and raged just a quarter of a mile away from the nearest homes, Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze told 9NEWS on Saturday afternoon.

"Today is pivotal," Spezze said during a public meeting on Saturday morning, discussing the efforts to fight back the flames due to the gusty winds forecast for the area.

Smoke started to become more visible over the Decker Fire on Saturday afternoon as the fuels began to heat up. (Facebook/@DeckerFire2019)

"Weather is going to continue to make it difficult for firefighters Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday with the average relative humidity between 10 percent and 20 percent during the afternoon hours each of those days," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski said.

"It will be warm and dry with highs in the lower 70s each day and winds that can gust as high as 20 to 25 mph Monday and Tuesday afternoon with wind gusts around 30 mph possible Wednesday afternoon," he said.

The fire has grown to 6,155 acres and is only 5% contained with 806 personnel involved as of Oct. 6, according to the InciWeb reports.

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Sparked by lighting on Sept. 8, the Decker Fire had grown significantly over the past few days amid gusty winds and dry weather conditions.

The flames have encroached close enough to homes claimed at least two buildings, according to public officials on Saturday.

The area of the Decker Fire on Oct. 5, 2019. (Facebook/@DeckerFire2019)

The first structure was a cabin on private land surrounded by forest in Fremont County. The second was outside of the evacuation area in Chaffee County, according to the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office.

Evacuations have not yet been ordered for Salida, officials said Saturday morning during a public meeting. However, 300 people and 130 houses have been evacuated as with five subdivisions included in the mandatory evacuation zone, according to KDVR.

"It will turn much cooler Thursday behind a front with highs only in the 50s, but it will remain windy with wind gusts of 30 mph still possible in the afternoon," said Pydynowski. "Relative humidity will be a bit higher Thursday afternoon, but still low in the 20 to 30 percent range. There is a slight chance of a shower or two Thursday as well, which would obviously help fire crews if they can get one."