Firefighters were helped overnight with light winds and higher humidity over the three major fires burning along the Front Range.
Crews were also able to gain some containment on the two larger fires, the Alexander Mountain fire, which started Monday morning in Larimer County, and the Stone Canyon fire, which started Tuesday afternoon in Boulder County.
Winds overnight in those areas stayed below 10 mph and humidity was 40% to 60%. However, record high temperatures are expected Friday and into early next week, with near triple-digit temperatures Sunday.
Jump to updates about individual fires: Alexander Mountain | Stone Canyon | Quarry
Crews fighting the Quarry fire in Jefferson County, also had better weather overnight. The fire is smaller than the two to the north but closer to highly populated neighborhoods.
A Jefferson County spokesman said Friday morning the humidity overnight was 59%, which was very beneficial. However, they are concerned about winds and lightning Friday because of dry storms in the forecast.
A number of counties are increasing their fire restrictions to either stage 1 or stage 2. As well, fires are banned inside Rocky Mountain National Park.
With numerous campers headed to the mountains to escape the heat along the Front Range, officials are asking that people check ahead of time to get the updated restrictions in the areas they are going to recreate.
Smoke from the fires along the Front Range and out of state fires, along with hot and sunny weather, will create poor air quality that could be unhealthy, especially for those with respiratory illnesses, older adults and children, state officials said in an alert issued for Friday.
Catch up: Read live updates from Wednesday and Thursday
Jump to updates about individual fires: Alexander Mountain | Stone Canyon | Quarry
Alexander Mountain fire
Current size: 9,375 acres
Location: West of Loveland in Larimer County
Containment: 5%
Cause: Unknown
Impact: 3,200 people evacuated; at least two dozen structures damaged or destroyed; no injuries
Crews work to secure line along Highway 34
During a news conference Friday afternoon, the Larimer County sheriff said damage assessment teams were in the burn area earlier in the day and confirmed 30 structures were damaged or destroyed. Those who lost structures will be notified today.
Crews continue to work on ensuring the fire does not jump Highway 34 to the south and over the Big Thompson River. Crews are focused on that edge of the fire and said the threat of the fire crossing the highway is “still very realistic.” There are 389 personnel now working the fire.
The eastern perimeter of the fire is holding, and some evacuations will be lifted in that area.
— 4:30 p.m. Friday
Several post offices temporarily closed
Several post offices have been temporarily closed due to firefighting efforts for the Alexander Mountain fire, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said. The U.S. Postal Service has posted details on how and where residents may pick up their mail, specifically for those who use the Glen Haven Masonville and Drake post offices.
More information can be found online.
— 1:39 p.m. Friday
Voluntary evacuations lifted for Hidden Valley, Ridge Parkway
Voluntary evacuations were lifted Friday for residents living in the Hidden Valley area east of Devil’s Backbone Open Space and people living off Ridge Parkway, the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said.
Mandatory evacuation orders were also changed to voluntary for residents off Glade Road, from Highway 34 up to W County Road 38E, residents near Riverview RV Park, and residents north of Carter Lake in the area of County Road 18E from County Road 31 to County Road 29.
All evacuation orders can be viewed at nocoalert.org.
— 12:29 p.m. Friday
Fire expands to more than 9,000 acres
In an update early Friday morning, officials said the fire had increased to more than 9,000 acres and containment remained at 5%. More than 325 personnel are working on the fire.
“We’re aware of potential for incoming thunderstorms, which could cause wind shifts,” according to the update. “Firefighters will be focusing on maintaining lines, managing their safety and the safety of the community.”
The National Weather Service forecast for the Loveland area includes a 30% chance of rain, mainly after 2 p.m., with a high near 99 and calm winds.
— 6:42 a.m. Friday
Gaining a bit of containment
Late Thursday night officials announced there was 5% containment on the state’s largest wildfire, which started Monday morning.
Damage assessment teams are expected to tour some of the burn scar to determine how many and what types of buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Thursday afternoon the Larimer County sheriff said at least two dozen buildings were affected by the fire. No injuries have been reported.
—5:53 a.m. Friday
Stone Canyon fire
Current size: 1,553 acres
Location: Stone Mountain outside Lyons in Boulder County
Containment: 30%
Cause: Unknown
Impact: One fatality; five structures have been destroyed
Air resources diverted; crews watch incoming storms
Firefighters are keeping a close eye on incoming thunderstorms, which could bring winds to the area, Boulder County Office of Disaster Management said.
No air resources are assigned to the Stone Canyon fire Friday because they were diverted to other fires that are actively growing, officials said.
Xcel Energy will be restoring gas at some homes in the Stone Canyon neighborhood Friday, but residents must be home in order for company crews to turn it back on.
Officials are urging the public to avoid the fire retardant dropped on the Stone Canyon and Lake Shore fires. The red slurry contains ammonia and can burn if it gets inside cuts or scratches or gets in contact with sunburned or cracked skin.
If you or a pet comes in contact with the retardant, wash thoroughly with water and soft soap, as fire chemicals dry out the skin, officials said. After washing, use a hand cream to minimize dryness and cracking.
— 11:20 a.m. Friday
No major growth overnight
The fire did not grow Thursday night and remains 30% contained and just over 1,550 acres, officials said in a Friday morning update.
With the other fires that have “active growth,” officials said they are not expecting any air support Friday on the fire burning north of Lyons. Officials said two firefighters were injured but did not say the extent of those injuries.— 9:35 a.m. Friday
Lines drawn on east and southeast
Containment has improved to 30% and many residents in the area started going home Thursday after some of the mandatory evacuation were lifted.
As the fire slowly moves to the northeast, containment lines have been established along the east and southeast corner, which is near the town of Lyons.
—5:56 a.m. Friday
☀️ School attendance stories
Quarry fire
Current size: 480 acres
Location: Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County
Containment: 10%
Cause: Human, arson investigation underway
Impact: 600 homes evacuated; no injuries or burned homes
Containment line beefed up
The fire grew by about 50 acres Friday and is now at 480 acres and 10% contained. Crews are “very aggressively” digging hand lines that have connected to fire breaks cleared by bulldozers, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Karlyn Tilley said Friday afternoon during a news conference. That, combined with continued air support, has increased the containment and kept the fire from spreading.
No structures have been damaged, but two firefighters sprained their ankles while working on the steep terrain.
Investigators are bringing in the state’s K9 fire investigator as they look for what started the fire, which was human caused, Tilley said.
— 5:15 p.m. Friday
Fire contained at 4%
The Quarry fire is now 4% contained, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. The fire is estimated at 431 acres, which is lower than previous estimates due to more detailed mapping from the state’s multi-mission aircraft.
— 11:47 a.m. Friday
“Great progress” made with fire lines
Jefferson County spokesman Mark Techmeyer said Friday morning that a second Hotshot crew would be arriving to help with work on the ground in the rugged terrain. Today, a total of 185 personnel will be working the fire, including two Hotshot crews, who are trained to fight fires in very difficult terrain.
Three helicopters will continue to drop water from Chatfield Reservoir, but slurry planes won’t be on the fire as they have done the the work needed to surround the fire and protect homes, Techmeyer said.While the fire has zero containment, he said crews have increased fire lines on the ground, including securing Deer Creek Canyon Road, and bulldozers made “great progress” on the southwest side. The additional 100 acres that burned Thursday were in open space and away from homes.
— 7:58 a.m. Friday
Arson investigation underway
Officials said Friday morning there an active arson investigation is underway because they know the fire is human caused. On Tuesday night, a Jefferson County sheriff’s deputy came upon a fire burning in open space and it quickly escalated.
They know the point of origin, but officials would not answer any questions about a possible suspect because “it is an active investigation.”
— 7:45 a.m. Friday
Flames close but no damage
During a news conference Thursday afternoon, the Jefferson County spokesperson said no structure had been damaged but the flames were within a quarter-mile of some areas. The fire burning west of Denver is in a highly populated area and officials are trying to keep it from jumping of Deer Creek Canyon Road.
—6:01 a.m. Friday