Editor’s note: Tap here to see the Colorado wildfire updates for Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Colorado wildfire updates for Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024
Since a series of wildfires started across Colorado last Monday, fire crews have managed to hold or increase containment on four and fully extinguish one.
The fires in Larimer, Boulder, Montrose and Jefferson counties have together killed one person, damaged or destroyed more than 50 buildings, evacuated thousands of people and charred approximately 15,000 acres.
All of the fires grew rapidly, fueled by hot, dry weather and arid conditions on the ground.
RELATED: How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation in Colorado
After fully extinguishing the Lake Shore fire last week, Boulder County officials announced Sunday that fire crews had fully contained the Stone Canyon fire. Flames could continue to burn in the contained area for days or weeks.
Containment on the Quarry fire in Jefferson County leaped ahead Tuesday, growing from 45% in the morning to 82% that afternoon. The two other remaining wildfires — the Alexander Mountain fire in Larimer County and the Bucktail fire in Montrose County — continue to grow as fire crews fight to contain them.
Click here to skip to a specific fire: Quarry fire |Alexander Mountain fire |Bucktail fire | Wildfire map
Quarry fire near Deer Creek Canyon
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Last updated at 5:34 p.m.
All mandatory evacuations for the Quarry fire burning in Jefferson County were lifted at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, sheriff’s officials said.
The 578-acre fire, which forced nearly 600 homes to evacuate after it started burning late July 30, has not destroyed any structures and is 82% contained.
All residents can go home but must pick up their access credentials at the Dakota Ridge High School evacuation center before they’ll be able to enter their neighborhoods, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
“Current mandatory evacuation neighborhoods will be moved to pre-evacuation status,” sheriff’s officials said in the Tuesday morning update. “Current pre-evacuation neighborhoods will be moved to non-status.”
Only residents with access cards will be allowed into the previously evacuated area for the next two days, sheriff’s officials said. General access will not be allowed until Thursday and Deer Creek Canyon Road will remain closed between Grizzly Drive and Phillipsburg as fire crews clean up.
Sheriff’s officials said the evacuation center will be open for residents to pick up badges until 6 p.m. Tuesday. After that, it will be permanently closed.
“The large animal evacuation site at Jeffco Fairgrounds asks that those no longer in pre-evacuation status make arrangements to pick up their animals,” sheriff’s officials stated Tuesday. “If you are now in pre-evacuation you may keep your animals at the fairgrounds until your status has changed.”
The wildfire’s footprint grew slightly on Monday because of controlled burning to increase containment along the western edge, according to sheriff’s office spokesperson Karlyn Tilley.
On Monday, a helicopter dropped small spheres across the area that contained a mix of chemicals and ignited 30 seconds after impact, according to West Metro Fire Rescue. The small, controlled flames were able to remove vegetation and loose debris from the area that would have fueled the fire’s spread.
Combined with firefighters hand-burning areas on the ground, crews were able to burn potential fuel sources and secure and strengthen the containment lines, fire officials said.
“The helicopter was able to get to areas that would be very difficult and dangerous for firefighters to access, considering the steep, rocky terrain,” fire officials said.
No details about the ongoing arson investigation were available Tuesday morning. Anyone with information about how the fire started can call the Quarry fire Tip Line at 303-271-5612.
Alexander Mountain fire near Loveland
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Last updated at 5:33 p.m.
Fire crews gained 83% containment on the 9,668-ace Alexander Mountain fire Monday, and the lines continued to hold Tuesday.
The fire, which sparked on Monday, July 29, is burning in the Roosevelt National Forest and on private land 10 miles west of Loveland.
As of Tuesday, 26 homes and 21 outbuildings had been destroyed in the Storm Mountain and Cedar Park areas, and four more homes were damaged.
Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said it’s possible that more damaged or destroyed structures will be found, and the Larimer County Office of Emergency Management has contacted people with known damage to structures to provide resources and next steps.
The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation Tuesday. Feyen said Monday that 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.
Bucktail fire near Nucla
Last updated at 6:10 p.m.
The Bucktail fire burning on more than 3,700 acres of land near Nucla in Montrose County is 10% contained Tuesday.
The fire was first reported on private land on Aug. 1 and quickly grew to nearly 2,000 acres. By Tuesday, the fire had charred 3,788 acres.
The fire is burning in pinyon pine, juniper and brush oak and has spread to U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in Uncompahgre National Forest, according to a map from fire officials.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Originally Published: August 6, 2024 at 8:06 a.m.
