Editor’s note: Tap here to see the Colorado wildfire updates for Monday, Aug. 5.
Colorado wildfire updates for Sunday, Aug. 4, 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 Monday.
RELATED: How to prepare for a wildfire evacuation in Colorado
The four major wildfires currently burning — 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 in less than a week.
All of the fires sparked since Monday and 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
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Last updated at 5:45 p.m.
Firefighters have gained 35% containment on the Quarry fire burning across 472 acres in Jefferson County, fire officials said Sunday afternoon.
Scattered showers didn’t impact the fire Sunday but provided a morale boost for the 190 firefighters on the ground, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said Sunday.
Crews continued to proactively burn along the fire’s western edge to keep it from spreading, Techmeyer said.
“We’re really happy (with) where we are,” Techmeyer said Sunday afternoon. “It was a whole different situation on Wednesday and Thursday. Everything has worked out in our favor, and we’re going to get this thing done.”
Jefferson County residents living in the mandatory evacuation zones near the Quarry fire will have their power cut for the next 48 hours, fire officials said Sunday afternoon.
CORE Electric Cooperative will shut off power for ongoing firefighting efforts between the intersection of Grizzly Drive and South Deer Creek Canyon Road, west to South McKinney Road and everything 3 miles south. Some homes in the Sampson neighborhood will be impacted, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The area is still under a mandatory evacuation order.
Fire officials expect increased containment on the Quarry fire burning in Jefferson County near Deer Creek Canyon as hundreds of families return to their homes, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The Quarry fire remained 20% contained at 472 acres overnight, sheriff’s office spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said in a briefing Sunday morning.
Fire crews burned some open space to the northwest of the fire where it’s too steep to put firefighters, so the acreage may increase once that’s added to the total, Techmeyer said.
Mandatory evacuation orders were lifted for approximately 200 homes Saturday evening, and people living in the Deer Creek Mesa and Kuehster neighborhoods can reenter once they have a badge from the evacuation center set up at Dakota Ridge High School.
Residents can obtain reentry badges by bringing their ID, such as a driver’s license, to the evacuation center between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Investigators believe the fire was started by humans, and the arson investigation is ongoing, Techmeyer said.
Investigators identified the fire’s point of origin early on and are using local and state resources, he said.
Alexander Mountain fire near Loveland
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Last updated at 4:45 p.m.
Fire crews increased containment on the 9,668-acre Alexander Mountain fire to 54% containment as firefighters make “great progress” along the lines west of Loveland, officials said in an update Sunday afternoon.
The fire destroyed 22 homes and 21 outbuildings and damaged four other homes, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said at a Sunday afternoon briefing.
Damage assessment teams have finished assessing the fire, though there may be additional damaged or destroyed structures that fire officials don’t yet know about, he said.
The eastern edge of the fire is fully contained, as is the southern edge along U.S. 34, said Operations Section Chief Jayson Coil.
County officials will allow some residents to return home starting at noon Monday, Feyen said.
People living between the Dam Store and Idlewild Lane will be allowed to return home starting at noon, after utility crews restore power, Feyen said.
People living in Cedar Park and Storm Mountain will likely be allowed back into their neighborhoods starting Wednesday morning but need to obtain credentials from county officials by showing proof of residence, like a driver’s license, Feyen said.
Residents can be credentialed at one of the two evacuation centers in Loveland or Estes Park starting Monday morning.
U.S. 34 will likely remain closed for another week to allow for utility repairs, Feyen said.
Larimer County officials lifted more mandatory evacuation orders Sunday morning. People living east of County Road 27 from U.S. 34 to Masonville; the Pinwood, Flatirons, Carter Reservoir and Pole Hill areas; and Glen Haven, including Dunraven Glade Retreat were given the all clear as of 11:34 a.m.
People living near County Road 43 from Retreat to Drake and east from the Little Dam Store including Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, Eden Valley, Bobcat Natural Area and Sylvan Dale are now on voluntary evacuation, county officials said.
Firefighters focused overnight on protecting homes and structures along U.S. 34 and extinguishing hot spots overnight, fire officials said Sunday morning.
The fire has destroyed nearly 50 homes and buildings and damaged four others along Cedar Creek Road, Spruce Mountain Drive, Green Ridge Road, Possum Court, Palisade Mountain Drive, Snow Top Drive and Bobcat Drive.
Fire activity is slowing, but fuels are still dry and it’s still possible the fire’s footprint may grow, fire officials said Sunday morning.
“Although the fire will not be as aggressive, spread is still possible. Gusty winds may cause an increase in fire behavior and spread in any direction,” fire officials said in a Sunday morning update.
The cause of the Alexander Mountain fire is still under investigation, and anyone with information can call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266.
Stone Canyon fire near Lyons
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Last updated at 9:45 a.m.
Containment on the 1,553-acre Stone Canyon fire burning north of Lyons jumped to 90% as of Saturday night, according to the Boulder County Office of Disaster Management.
All evacuations were lifted Saturday night as fire crews continue mopping up and monitoring the fire.
The fire destroyed five homes, killed one person and injured two firefighters since it began Tuesday and is believed to be caused by humans.
Residents should only call 911 if they see smoke or flames outside of the fire perimeter, Boulder County officials said Sunday.
Power is still being restored to some areas, and homes on Moss Rock may not have power until Monday, according to a Saturday evening update.
Bucktail fire near Nucla
Last updated at 10 a.m.
Fire crews have gained 5% containment on the 3,155-acre Bucktail fire burning in Montrose County, according to fire officials.
The fire burning near Nucla on Colorado’s Western Slope was first reported on private land Thursday and quickly grew to nearly 2,000 acres.
The fire hasn’t damaged any homes and no evacuations have been ordered.
“It is burning in pinyon pine, juniper and oak brush fuel types,” fire officials said Saturday. “It has a very high spread potential and is exhibiting active to extreme fire behavior.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Originally Published: August 4, 2024 at 10:28 a.m.
