Colorado wildfire updates for Monday, Aug. 5, 2024
Fire crews managed to hold or increase containment on four wildfires burning across Colorado this weekend, according to updates from fire officials.
The fires in Larimer, Boulder and Jefferson counties have killed one person, damaged or destroyed more than 50 buildings and evacuated thousands of people across the Front Range since July 29.
The four major wildfires — the Quarry fire in Jefferson County, the Alexander Mountain fire in Larimer County, the Stone Canyon fire in Boulder and Larimer counties and the Bucktail fire in Montrose County — have torched approximately 15,000 acres combined in about a week.
All of the fires grew rapidly, fueled by hot, dry weather and arid conditions on the ground.
Click here to skip to a specific fire: Quarry fire | Alexander Mountain fire | Stone Canyon fire | Bucktail fire | Wildfire map
Quarry fire near Deer Creek Canyon
- Access the latest evacuation map here
Last updated at 5:15 p.m.
Firefighters gained 45% containment on the Quarry fire burning near Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County, officials said in a Monday afternoon update.
The wildfire’s footprint grew slightly on Monday to 527 acres because of controlled burning to increase containment along the western edge, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Karlyn Tilley.
“Once that is done we will have a much better chance of getting all of our residents back in their homes,” she said.
Fire officials can’t give a firm timeline for when remaining evacuation orders will be lifted, but Tilley said they’re “very optimistic” about the progress made.
“God willing and Mother Nature willing, we will get people back in their homes very soon,” she said.
Brief rainstorms Sunday afternoon didn’t have an impact on the fire, but officials said they provided a break from the heat for firefighters.
The fire, which forced nearly 600 homes to evacuate after it started burning late July 30, has not destroyed any structures.
A time lapse of the aerial ignitions on the #QuarryFire. You can see how the small areas of fire move down the slope. The helicopter dropping the small spheres (psds) started at the top of the ridge, making its way down systematically towards Deer Creek Canyon Road. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/ZFBKZFZl3R
— WestMetroFire (@WestMetroFire) August 5, 2024
Crews were able to do so-called “surgical burning” overnight thanks to the weather, fire officials said. Crews burned potential fuel sources to secure and strengthen the containment lines.
The Deer Creek Mesa and Kuehster neighborhoods are no longer under a mandatory evacuation order and are back on pre-evacuation. Only residents with credential cards for those neighborhoods will be allowed in. All road closures remain in place.
Residents can pick up their credentials at Dakota Ridge High School from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday. People will need to show proof of residency.
More than 300 of the 575 evacuated households have already picked up credentials. Sheriff’s office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said that when people return to their homes, authorities will maintain roadblocks for a couple of days to ensure that residents can move back in without interference from the public.
The fire is being investigated as arson. Techmeyer didn’t share any details about the investigation.
“We want this person as bad as everyone,” Techmeyer said.
Anyone with information about how the fire started can call 303-271-5612.
A total of 190 firefighters are fighting the fire. Helicopters and fire engines are being used to attack it from the air and on the ground.
Alexander Mountain fire near Loveland
- Access the latest evacuation map here
Last updated at 3:45 p.m.
Fire crews gained 74% containment on the Alexander Mountain fire Monday, officials said in an update.
There are 536 firefighters on the wildfire burning across 9,668 acres of the Roosevelt National Forest and private land 10 miles west of Loveland.
Larimer County officials also lifted more mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders for the neighborhoods near the fire Monday.
Residents living along U.S. 34 from west of the Dam Store to Idlewild Lane can return home by showing proof of ID at checkpoints, the sheriff’s office said in an update.
Voluntary evacuation alerts were also lifted for people living near Sylvan Dale Ranch, Eden Valley Sunrise Ranch and the Bobcat Natural Area.
Crews planned Monday to focus on Cedar Park to find any remaining hot pockets of fuel. Authorities said gusty winds could kick up fire activity. The weather is expected to stay hot through Wednesday, but cooler temperatures and rain are forecast later in the week.
Fire officials said areas downhill and downstream from burned spots are susceptible to flash flooding and debris flows, especially in and near steep terrain.
Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said during a news briefing Sunday that a survey of the burned areas showed that 26 homes and 21 outbuildings have been destroyed in the Storm Mountain and Cedar Park areas. Four more homes sustained minor damage.
Feyen said it’s possible that more damaged or destroyed structures will be found. The Larimer County Office of Emergency Management has contacted people with known damage to structures and will continue to provide resources and next steps.
U.S. 34 will likely remain closed for another week so utility crews can repair infrastructure.
The cause of the wildfire is under investigation. Feyen said investigators found signs of human activity and multiple lightning strikes at the place it started.
Anyone with information can call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266.
Stone Canyon fire near Lyons
- Access the latest evacuation map here
Last updated at 9:17 a.m.
The 1,557-acre Stone Canyon fire north of Lyons was 100% contained Sunday night. Boulder County officials lifted all evacuation orders for people living in the area.
The fire, which killed one person and destroyed five homes since it started July 30, is being investigated as arson. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is conducting the investigation and said it could be a while before there are any results.
A website to assist with recovery for the Stone Canyon fire or Lake Shore fire near Gross Reservoir in Boulder County can be found here.
Bucktail fire near Nucla
Last updated at 10:23 a.m.
A 3,738-acre wildfire burning near Nucla in Montrose County is 7% contained. The fire was first reported on private land Aug. 1 and quickly grew to nearly 2,000 acres.
Fire officials said 154 people were working on the fire Monday. It was burning in pinyon pine, juniper and brush oak and has spread to U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands.
Fire officials were checking to see if any structures were burned. Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, spokeswoman for the multiple agencies fighting the wildfire, said the fire spread quickly at first but its growth has since moderated.
Two helicopters, an airplane and 154 firefighters were at the scene Monday. Fitzgerald said the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Communities nearest to the fire, including Nucla and Naturita, might get a lot of smoke Monday, especially overnight, said officials, who advised people to limit prolonged or heavy outdoor activity
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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