Crews battling three major wildfires on the Front Range celebrated fresh gains Sunday, paving the way for some evacuees to return home while racking up a near-doubling of containment of the Alexander Mountain fire.
The nearly 10,000-acre Alexander Mountain fire was 54% contained as of Sunday afternoon, up from 32%, after crews gained an upper hand on the entire eastern flank and reported significant progress along the Highway 34 corridor. The Quarry fire was 35% contained as of Sunday afternoon, up from 20%. And the Stone Canyon fire was declared fully contained, up from 90% containment a day earlier.
The advances came despite another day of sweltering heat in the 80s, challenging firefighters wearing hot protective gear and wielding heavy tools.
The weather forecast calls for rain and thunderstorms on Sunday evening and in days ahead, offering a welcome break from the heat — and the potential for hazardous high winds and lightning.
Jump to updates about individual fires: Alexander Mountain | Stone Canyon | Quarry
The change in the weather brought fresh risks to fire crews assigned to all three fires in northern Colorado, which have forced thousands of people from their homes, killed one person and burned at least 25 houses and many other outbuildings.
“It’s very important that we watch the thunderstorms, because winds from those storms can be very dangerous,” said Kari Fleegel, a National Weather Service incident meteorologist assigned to the Quarry fire, in discussing the week’s forecast.
A planned, 48-hour power outage was announced for parts of the Quarry fire to assist in operations. The outage is necessary as firefighters conduct controlled burns along a worrisome corner of the blaze in the afternoon and evening, in the hope of preventing the fire from spreading into an area of unburned fuels in steep, rugged terrain.
Those crews were treated to a light rain Sunday afternoon, in a welcome morale boost.
“It was a nice refresher, but had no effect on the fire,” said Mark Techmeyer, a spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Even so, crews on the Quarry fire were upbeat after a weekend of positive news.
“We’re really happy where we are,” Techmeyer said. “Everything’s worked out in our favor, and we’re going to get this thing done.”
Alexander Mountain fire
Current size: 9,668 acres
Location: West of Loveland in Larimer County
Containment: 54%
Cause: Unknown
Impact: 3,200 people evacuated; 25 homes and 20 outbuilding destroyed, four homes damaged; no injuries
Containment increases after “major successes” on fire lines
The fire is now 54% contained — up from 32% — after firefighters rack up “major successes,” including containing the entire eastern perimeter and making significant gains along the Highway 34 corridor, fire officials said in a statement.
No new growth was reported.
More than 500 personnel were fighting the blaze.
— 4:30 p.m. Sunday
Forecast brings chance of rain — and threat of high winds and lightning
Showers and thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening, offering a break from hot, dry weather, while also bringing fresh threats for fire crews.
Some rain has already fallen in the Cedar Park area on the northwest side of the fire.
The forecast for calls for similar chances of rain and thunderstorms in days ahead, particularly Wednesday and Thursday.
While rain can calm hungry fires, thunderstorms packing high winds can dry out fuels and fan flames, ramping up danger for firefighters. Crews must be ready to move to safety quickly when storms are in the forecast, Fleegel said.
—4 p.m. Sunday
More residents cleared to return home
Fire officials on Sunday gave the “all clear” for residents to return to the following areas:
-East of County Road 27 from Highway 34 to Masonville
-Pinewood, Flatirons, Carter Reservoir area, including Pole Hill
-Glen Haven and the Dunraven Glade Retreat area
In addition, the following areas were downgraded to voluntary evacuation zones:
-County Road 43 from the Retreat to Drake
-East from the Little Dam Store including Green Ridge Glade Reservoir, Eden Valley, Bobcat Natural Area and Sylvan Dale
Residents may text LCEVAC to 888777 for updates. Visit www.nocoalert.org for a map of the updated areas.
—noon Sunday
Crews making “great progress” on containment lines
Crews focused on protecting homes along U.S. 34 and extinguishing hot spots near Cedar Park.
“Although the fire will not be as aggressive, spread is still possible,” Carl Schwope, incident commander for the Southwest Area Incident Management Team wrote.
Gusty winds could cause the fire to spread in any direction.
—8:30 a.m. Sunday
Stone Canyon fire
Current size: 1,557 acres
Location: Stone Mountain outside Lyons in Boulder County
Containment: 100%
Cause: Unknown
Impact: One fatality; five structures have been destroyed
Stone Canyon fire is declared fully contained
Aerial surveys confirm the deadly fire is now 100% contained, after four days with zero fire growth, officials said.
The size estimate grew by a few acres based on a careful assessment of geographic information system data.
— 6:30 p.m. Sunday
No growth overnight, though smoke from hot spots is possible
Containment and acreage remain unchanged Sunday after a night of little fire activity.
Crews are mopping up in the fire’s interior, and smoke from periodic hot spots is possible, Boulder officials warned.
“Please only call 911 if you see flames or smoke outside of the fire perimeter,” an advisory said.
—9:24 a.m. Sunday
All roads open; evacuations lifted
All evacuations were lifted and all roads are open after crews gained significant control over the fire, officials said Saturday evening.
The cause of the fire remains unknown
—8 a.m. Sunday
Quarry fire
Current size: 472 acres
Location: Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County
Containment: 35%
Cause: Human, arson investigation underway
Impact: 600 homes evacuated; no injuries or burned homes
Officials keep an eye on the weather while conducting controlled burns
Controlled burning was ongoing Sunday evening, and largely complete in areas underlying power lines. That could allow for power to come back on Monday in areas where it was turned off, Techmeyer said.
Fire commanders were optimistic about their progress even as they keep a wary eye on storm clouds.
“The thing we are most worried about is not the rain, but the shifting winds,” Techmeyer said.
The day’s successes came thanks to 190 firefighters from nearly 20 agencies, along with 14 fire engines and one bulldozer.
Techmeyer had no updates on the arson investigation.
“We’re working it,” he said. “We want this person as bad as everyone.”
— 6 p.m. Sunday
Power outage planned to aid in firefighting efforts
Fire officials announced a two-day, planned power outage in parts of the fire area to assist in ongoing operations.
CORE Electric Cooperative will be shutting off power for approximately 48 hours from the intersection of Grizzly Drive and South Deer Creek Canyon Road west to South Mckinney Road, officials said. Everything south of that area for 3 miles will also be darkened.
Some homes in the Sampson neighborhood, which remains evacuated, will be also be affected.
—3:30 p.m. Sunday
Firefighters work to control fire in overgrown open space
The northwestern side of the fire remains a challenge for firefighters, Techmeyer said at a Sunday morning briefing.
“Really no boots can go in because it is so steep,” he said.
Saturday night firefighters targeted that remote area by setting controlled fires to burn fuels in thick, overgrown areas, until 1 a.m. when temperatures were lower and flames were easier to control, Techmeyer said.
Those efforts are seen as critical, because of concerns that fire will make a run through the area.
Tomorrow’s 48% chance of rain is generally good news for firefighters, but it could put a damper on controlled burns, he said.
“It’s just a dance with Mother Nature,” he said.
Techmeyer said he expects the containment to increase Sunday as firefighters make more progress on fire lines.
Residents who have been cleared to return to their homes will need to show a driver’s license or some other proof of address to pick up badges at the evacuation center. They must present badges to enter closed areas and return to their houses.
“We’ve got to keep traffic to a minimum because we still have fire trucks and a ton of people working that area and they will be for quite some time,” Techmeyer said.
“This is not done. It’s not over. Stay in pre-evac mindset.”
Flames still remain about a quarter-mile from homes.
—8:25 a.m. Sunday