LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — Firefighters held onto the perimeter of the Alexander Mountain Fire overnight into Monday, ensuring the fire did not grow as they continue the work to increase containment.
The fire, which started July 29, has burned 9,668 acres. As of Monday afternoon, containment had jumped up to 74%. The fire is located near Drake along Highway 34, west of Loveland. It is the largest wildfire currently burning in Colorado.
Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1, which currently has command of the firefighting efforts, said that while the fire will likely creep and smolder Monday, "no perimeter growth is expected."
Many evacuation orders were cleared or downgraded to voluntary status on Sunday, leaving about 1,100 households under a mandatory evacuation. That number dropped on Monday around noon, when mandatory evacuations were downgraded to pre-evacuations for residents along Highway 34 from west of the Dam Store to just west of Idlewild Lane. Capt. Tim Keeton with Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said power was restored in this area and residents who have their ID can come and go freely.
As of just a few minutes ago, people who live along HWY 34 from west of the Dam Store to just west of Idlewild Ln were allowed back into their homes. Many lined up eagerly waiting to get back home #AlexanderMountainFire @DenverChannel pic.twitter.com/xcLvEpM7Ms
— Veronica Acosta (@VeronicacostaTV) August 5, 2024
In addition, pre-evacuation notices have been lifted for Sylvan Dale Ranch, Eden Valley Sunrise Ranch, and the Bobcat Natural Area.
As of Monday at 4 p.m., 929 homes remained under a mandatory evacuation and 245 were under a voluntary evacuation status.
Hear from one of the evacuees below, who is eager to return home and ensure everything is OK.
The credential process began Monday for residents who live in the Storm Mountain area, which was where the fire was most damaging. LCSO Capt. Keeton explained that having that process in place ensures that the only people up there — aside from first responders — are residents.
“While that was where most of the damage was, I want to make sure the looky-loos and people who just have a curiosity to go see what the damage was, are not up in there until residents have a chance to go up there and figure out what they lost or what they didn’t lose,” he said.
Hear more from Capt. Keeton and other fire authorities, who provided a 4 p.m. update on the fire on Monday.
The fire has destroyed 45 structures, which includes 25 homes and 20 outbuildings.
For people who live where the evacuations were lifted, re-entry credentialing will begin Monday. For detailed information about returning to homes and the credentialing process, click here.
A disaster assistance center will open for those impacted by the fire Friday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. in the South Hall at The Ranch Events Complex. It will act as a "one-stop shop" for people who need help with recovery, said Laurie Hodges, director of Larimer County Office of Emergency Management
On Monday, firefighters will focus on the Cedar Park area and extinguishing any hot pockets. Crews will begin this process near structures and make their way in to secure the perimeter, according to the incident management team.
About 625 people are working at the scene Monday.
"Though isolated pockets may continue to smoke, control lines are expected to hold," the team said. "The probability of ignition continues to drop as humidity increases."
The team noted that gusty winds on Monday afternoon could increase the fire's behavior. Those gusts may come with showers and thunderstorms.
Later this week, cooler temperatures and widespread rain is expected, which may increase the risk of flash flooding and debris flows downhill of burned areas, especially in steep terrain.
The cause of the Alexander Mountain Fire remains under investigation, though Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said investigative teams found signs over the weekend of both human activity and lightning strikes where the fire apparently started.
Anybody with information about how it started is asked to call the U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266. The voicemail system had a technical issue, so anybody who called prior to 3 p.m. on Friday is asked to call again. In addition, anybody with photos or videos showing the origin of the fire is asked to submit them here.
For the latest on evacuations and road closures for the Alexander Mountain Fire, visit Nocoalert.org or text LCEVAC to 888777. You can also call the Joint Information Center at 970-980-2500.
Wildfires are now a year-round threat in Colorado. Denver7 is committed to covering their impact and the people working to find solutions to the threat.