LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — The Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County is now 91% contained.
Firefighters are patrolling the area, securing containment lines and mopping up hot spots, according to officials.
On Wednesday, all mandatory evacuations due to the fire were lifted.
People who live in the Cedar Park and Storm Mountain communities were placed under voluntary evacuation notices. Residents returning home to those areas will be required to provide credentials at entry checkpoints. Information on obtaining credentials is available on Larimer County's website.
Lori Hodges, Director of Emergency Management for Larimer County, said a disaster assistance center will be set up Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Larimer County Conference Center at the Ranch Events Complex. The center will provide resources and assistance for people impacted by the fire.
The Alexander Mountain Fire, which started July 29, has burned 9,668 acres and is 91% contained as of Thursday morning. Officials said they do not believe the fire will grow any larger but will continue to smolder inside its perimeter.
Officials confirmed that a total of 51 structures have been affected: 26 homes lost, four other homes damaged, and 21 outbuildings destroyed. Only minor injuries have been reported.
> Watch the Tuesday afternoon fire briefing
Returning home
Some residents were allowed to return home Sunday and Monday.
"It’s really nice to be back," resident Ashley Bernal said Monday. "We got home around 7 last night."
Bernal said she and her family were evacuated for nearly a week.
"We’ve been in three different hotels and my aunt’s house, and my aunt, I love her to death, but we were in a little bed because we were staying with relatives, so we were all sardined there," Bernal said with a laugh. "My son took up a majority of the bed so it’s really nice to be at home, in our own beds, our own space."
Residents need to have a valid ID to be able to get back into their properties.
Bob "Cattail" Seebeck picked up his credential for re-entry Monday at the Larimer County Loveland Campus. He said he's been keeping a close eye on updates from fire officials.
"Waiting for that call," Seebeck said.
He said at one point, he learned the fire was as close as 1,000 feet from the home he's lived in for 40 years.
"I built the cabin with my own two hands," Seebeck said. "Didn’t want to lose it, but if I did, I would have dealt with it. Would have rebuilt."
Seebeck credits firefighters for keeping a majority of homes safe, but feels for those not as fortunate as him.
"This is my third fire so I wouldn’t say it’s routine, but I knew the drill and was hopeful and that’s all you can be is hopeful," Seebeck said. "I know a lot of people lost their homes just east of me and that’s a horror show right there and I felt for those people, but I lucked out once again. A third time."
Closures
Highway 34 fully reopened through the fire area Thursday morning.
The Roosevelt National Forest has issued a closure order for the area near the fire.
The U.S. Postal Service office in Drake is temporarily closed. USPS said customers normally served by the Drake Post Office can pick up their mail at the Estes Park Post Office located at 215 W Riverside Dr. in Estes Park. Hours for pickup are Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The Glen Haven and Masonville Post Offices were temporarily closed, but have now reopened.
Cause
The cause of the fire is undetermined. The U.S. Forest Service is asking anyone with information regarding the cause and origin of the fire to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266. Photographs and videos can be submitted on the Forest Service website.
Due to a technical issue with their voicemail system, authorities are asking anyone who called the tip line prior to 3 p.m. on Friday to call again. The investigation team said they received the photos and emails but wanted to make sure they did not miss any important voicemails.
