COLORADO, USA — Several wildfires are burning throughout Colorado as the state continues to grapple with a prolonged stretch of dry, hot weather.
The Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County, the Stone Canyon and Lake Shore fires in Boulder County and the Quarry Fire in Jefferson County prompted hundreds of evacuation notices for nearby residents.
More than 50 structures, including 32 homes, have been destroyed in the fires. A person's body was found in one of those homes. Investigators are working to determine how they died.
As of Monday, some evacuations remain in place for the Quarry and Alexander Mountain fires. All evacuation orders have been lifted for the Stone Canyon and Lake Shore fires.
Smoke, challenging winds and extremely dry conditions have persisted for days.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jared Polis gave verbal authorization for the Colorado National Guard to help with road closures and other logistics related to firefighting efforts across the state.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Alexander Mountain and Stone Canyon fires.
Here are the latest details on the wildfires burning throughout Colorado.
Quarry Fire
The Quarry Fire has forced evacuations for hundreds of residents in the Deer Creek Canyon area southwest of Denver in Jefferson County. The fire is 45% contained and 527 acres as of Monday afternoon, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office said the fire is believed to be human-caused, and an arson investigation is underway.
Four subdivisions remain under a mandatory evacuation order. They include:
- Sampson
- Maxwell
- McKinney
- Murphy
The Oehlmann Park, Homestead South, Deer Creek Mesa, Kuehster, West Ranch, Silver Ranch and Silver Ranch South subdivisions are under pre-evacuation notices.
The Quarry Fire started Tuesday night in the area of Deer Creek Canyon Road just west of Grizzly Drive.
RELATED: Good weather conditions allow fire crews to perform controlled burns within Quarry Fire burn area
Size: 527 acres
Location: Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County
Containment: 45%
Stone Canyon Fire
The Stone Canyon Fire north of Lyons burned 1,553 acres and is fully contained as of Sunday night.
All evacuation orders were lifted Saturday evening, and all roads around the burn area have reopened.
Officials said five homes were destroyed in the fire. A person's body was found in one of those homes. Investigators are working to determine how they died.
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. For active emergencies, community members are asked to call 911.
Size: 1,553 acres
Location: North of Lyons in Boulder County
Containment: 100%
Alexander Mountain Fire
The Alexander Mountain Fire started July 29 west of Loveland. As of Monday afternoon, the fire was at 9,668 acres with 74% containment.
Evacuations have been ordered, though some have been lifted and others have changed from mandatory to voluntary. Residents are being directed to NOCO Alert for the latest information on evacuations.
Sunday, the sheriff's office said a total of 51 structures were affected: 26 homes lost, four other homes damaged, and 21 outbuildings destroyed.
No new structural damages were reported Saturday, but officials said they expect that to change once damage assessment teams are able to access more of the impacted areas.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Size: 9,668 acres
Location: West of Loveland in Larimer County
Containment: 74%
Lake Shore Fire
Evacuation orders were issued Wednesday afternoon for a wildfire burning on the northeast end of Gross Reservoir off Lakeshore Drive in Boulder County.
One home was lost in the fire, which burned about seven acres. By Thursday morning, all evacuation orders and road closures were lifted. On Friday, Boulder Disaster Management said the fire was 100% contained.
Boulder County officials said the fire was human-caused, but that it appears to have been an accident.