Fire crews fully contained the Goltra fire Thursday afternoon, roughly two days after lightning started the blaze that burned more than 200 acres west of Golden.
U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon is expected to open about 5 p.m. Thursday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said.
Late Wednesday night, officials said the fire was 60% contained after calmer weather conditions helped firefighters during the day.
After the fire grew quickly overnight Tuesday, the wind decreased Wednesday and the fire stalled during the afternoon. The weather Thursday helped with cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
About 65 personnel and two helicopters fought the fire, which was mapped during a flyover at 205 acres Thursday.
A lightning strike started the Goltra fire Tuesday near tunnel 1 in Clear Creek Canyon and, pushed by winds, flames moved down to U.S. 6. Crews kept it from jumping the road.
The fire burned on land once owned by Chicago businessman O.R. Goltra, who planned a gravel mine near tunnel 1 but later sold thousands of acres into a land trust, according to Colorado Open Lands. Goltra died this year.