Firefighters across the Pacific Northwest are battling multiple lightning-caused wildfires that have scorched hundreds of thousands of acres. Thick smoke has created unhealthy air quality across parts of Oregon, Washington and Idaho.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for areas near the Aspen Acres burn scar in Colorado as torrential rain falls across the region.
LIGHTNING-SPARKED WILDFIRES RAGE ACROSS OREGON AND WASHINGTON AFTER MID-JULY SEVERE STORMS
The emergency includes San Isabel and North Creek near Beulah, Colorado.
The National Weather Service warned that this is a particularly dangerous situation and urged residents to seek higher ground immediately, calling it a life-threatening situation.
A Flash Flood Emergency has been issued for the region near the Aspen Acres Burn Scar.
(FOX Weather )
The Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District said on social media that the area is experiencing significant debris flows.
“Please get to high ground. Do not attempt to drive through water,” the Beulah Fire Protection and Ambulance District said in a Facebook post.
In Fremont County, the sheriff’s office warned residents on social media about impassable roads and to avoid the area until further notice.
The National Weather Service also issued a Flash Flood Warning for east-central Custer County and west-central Pueblo County in southeastern Colorado.
As of Tuesday evening, between 1 and 3 inches of rain had fallen across the region. Forecasters said rainfall rates of 0.25 to 0.75 inches per hour are possible, with an additional 0.2 to 0.5 inches of rain expected in the warned area.
The amount of rain that has fallen in the past hour.
(FOX Weather)
Officials said heavy rainfall over the Aspen Acres burn scar, where the wildfire has burned more than 100,000 acres since June 28, is creating a dangerous situation due to the debris flows. The wildfire is currently 66% contained.
3 FIREFIGHTERS KILLED, 2 INJURED AS LARGE WILDFIRES SCORCH MORE THAN 200K ACRES IN UTAH AND COLORADO
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), debris flows are fast-moving landslides that pose a significant threat to life and property because they can occur with little warning and destroy nearly everything in their path.
The Aspen Burn Scar which burn more than 100,000 acres since June 28.
(FOX Weather)
Debris flows can travel at speeds exceeding 35 mph and are capable of carrying massive boulders, trees and even vehicles downstream.
Burn scars are susceptible to debris flow and flash flooding since soil that normally helps absorb rainfall has been destroyed, allowing water, mud and debris to rush downhill.
