BOULDER, Colo. | People in Colorado’s most populated region were being asked Tuesday to limit driving to avoid making air pollution caused by smoke wildfires even worse.
The state health department issued the warning for the Denver and Boulder metro areas because of three fires burning in the area, including the Cameron Peak Fire. The 319 square-mile (826 square kilometer) fire has been burning for over two months and is the largest in the state’s history.
Larimer County Sheriff Justin Smith said Monday it is estimated that it burned between 30 and 50 more structures last week, in addition to 100 structures that were damaged or destroyed previously, the Coloradoan reported.
Another blaze that started Saturday about 17 miles (27 kilometers) northwest of Boulder has destroyed at least 20 homes according to a list released by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. The CalWood Fire has burned 14 square miles (36 square kilometers).
Meanwhile, a fire that started Sunday about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of Boulder caused the evacuation of at least 145 homes, including the small town of Ward, which has about 150 residents, county officials said.
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden said Monday he and his wife were keeping those affected by Colorado’s fires in their thoughts.
