BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — New photos reveal the conditions firefighters are facing as they work to control the Stone Canyon Fire in Boulder County.
A 9NEWS crew was allowed access with wildland firefighters on Friday inside the fire line of the fire that has burned 1,553 acres and is 30% contained north of Lyons.
The scene behind the fire line revealed blackened trees and bushes in dry and often steep, rocky terrain.
The wildfire, which started Tuesday afternoon, is moving slowly toward the northeast.
On Wednesday, human remains were found inside one of the five burned structures destroyed in the wildfire that sparked Tuesday afternoon north of Lyons, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. No information about the person who died was provided.
On Thursday night, an all clear was given to some areas that were previously under mandatory evacuation, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management.
Stone Canyon Fire on Friday, Aug. 2
Any further damage caused by the fire will be assessed when crews are able to access those areas. The Boulder County Sheriff's Office notified property owners who lost a residence in Boulder County during the Stone Canyon Fire.
The sheriff's office is not releasing the addresses of those properties at this time, and damage assessment crews are continuing to assess the area.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the sheriff's office has set up a tip line for anyone who may have information. That number is 303-441-3674.
Certified Fire Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were sent to the Stone Canyon Fire to assist the Boulder County Sheriff's Office in their investigation into the cause and origin of the fire, a bureau spokesperson told 9NEWS Thursday evening.
Evacuations
Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for:
- Eagle Ridge area
- Spring Valley area
- North side of Carter Lake to Highway 34 in Larimer County
A partial all clear was issued Thursday afternoon to parts of the evacuation areas for the Stone Canyon Fire, including Steamboat Valley and Stone Canyon neighborhoods, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management.
Starting Thursday, large dumpsters were provided in each neighborhood for homeowners to dispose of spoiled food, the office said. People are asked not to put food waste on the sidewalk and to wait for the dumpsters to arrive to dispose of any perishables.
The evacuation for the northern and western portions of the Town of Lyons was lifted on Wednesday morning. To search for specific locations, visit boco.org/InfoMap and enter an address in the "Find address" bar.
The Boulder Office of Disaster Management said Xcel Energy will be in the Stone Canyon Neighborhood starting at 8 a.m. Friday to help with relighting gas pilots, but someone must be home for the ignition to take place.
An overnight shelter is available for anyone impacted by the fire at the Foundation Church, 1380 N. Denver Ave. in Loveland.
Animals of all sizes can be taken to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Golden.
Firefighting efforts
The Boulder Office of Disaster Management said in a 1:47 p.m. Wednesday update that more than 120 firefighters are on the ground fighting the flames. 37 firetrucks are also on scene and aircraft will continue to support firefighting efforts throughout the afternoon, per the update.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis activated the Colorado National Guard to assist with firefighting efforts for the first time since the Marshall Fire, as stated in news conference Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting efforts for the Stone Canyon and the Alexander Mountain fires.
At the time of the FEMA assistance request, four firefighters had been injured in the Stone Canyon Fire, and the flames were threatening more than 480 homes and other structures, according to a release by the administration.
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office said two firefighters had illnesses related to fire conditions. It's unclear how the other two firefighters were injured.
Sheriff Johnson said Boulder County is sharing resources with Larimer County as crews there battle the Alexander Mountain Fire.
Information and alerts
To receive alerts and evacuation information pertaining to Larimer County, text LCEVAC to 888777 or visit nocoalert.org. For Boulder County alerts, text BOCOINFO to 888777 or BOCOALERT to 888777 or visit boulderodm.gov.
Residents who are impacted by the Stone Canyon Fire can call 303-413-7730 to reach a call center for non-emergency questions and inquiries. The call center is open until 6 p.m. Wednesday. For active emergencies, community members are asked to call 911.
Stone Canyon Fire
