LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — The news was mixed in Larimer County on the fifth day of the Alexander Mountain Fire.
More than 9,000 acres have burned since Monday. As of Friday afternoon, containment was at five percent.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office reported more structures had been lost or damaged in the wildfire since Thursday. The number bumped up to about 30 structures. The sheriff's office said all the structures are in the same area, south of Cedar Springs Reservoir.
Damage assessment teams went into the area on Friday, and they planned to notify impacted property owners Friday night.
While some families waited for answers, others got the call they had been waiting for. Firefighters lifted some mandatory evacuation orders allowing some people to return to their homes.
Pam Hartley smiled as she put up a sign in front of her family’s home. They had only been back for less than an hour when she tied up a banner that read, “We Appreciate You”.
“There is not enough words to say thank you for what they do these first responders,” she said. “Since I can’t talk to each one, and hopefully when they drive by, they know we do really appreciate what they do.”
She bought the sign the day the wildfire started knowing someday she was going to put it up. Hartley felt grateful they had a home to come back to.
“I say prayers for those that don’t have a house to come back to,” Hartley said.
She knows she is lucky. Many waited for answers at the Red Cross evacuation center in Loveland. Lori Wade worried about her business at her son’s house where she’s been staying this week.
Her business Stoney River Lodge was evacuated Monday. She doesn’t know when they’ll be able to reopen. She’s spent most of this week telling customers their vacation plans at her lodge have been canceled.
“Of course, issuing refunds for people who were supposed to check in this coming weekend or today,” she said. “It is hard for us financially. It’s hard for the people because we want them to come stay with us.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help the lodge while it remains closed during its busy season.
Her days are filled with uncertainty as some neighbors find a bit of relief.
“So thankful because you feel so sorry for the people who have nothing to come home to,” Harley said.