Alexander Mountain Fire, north of Lyons (updated daily)
First reported as a grass fire, west of Loveland, on the north side of Hwy. 34, near Cedar Cove, west of Green Ridge Glade Reservoir. Alexander Mountain Fire was named in the morning of July 29, 2024. Mid-day multiple aircraft (approximately 10) were on scene by the afternoon. Located off CO Highway 34, between Loveland and Drake, north of Carter Lake– in the Roosevelt National Forest, north of Highway 34 and west of the Dam Store. See map of evacuation areas, and blocked CO Highway 34.
Units from our local Boulder County / Lyons Fire Protection District (LFPD) and Pinewood Springs Fire Protection District (PSFPD) joined in the fire fight, as well as continued to monitor it. The Fire Chiefs from Lyons and Pinewood said it was unlikely that the fire would reach their towns.
At approximately 11:10a.m. the fire was mapped at 247 acres. Within a couple of hours it was reported to be 800 acre; but NOCO Alert dropped to around 365 acres at 3:30p.m.; and then by evening it was back up to around 900 acres, and 0% contained. An overnight evacuation shelter was set up at Foundations Church in Loveland; and at the Recreation Center of Estes Park.
Mandatory Evacuations occurred for the Storm Mountain Area and Drake. Cedar Grove was told “be set to leave if asked to.” Namaqua Elementary School was the evacuation center. == The billows of white smoke were quickly seen from Lyons’ Stone Canyon neighborhood. And even from Boulder, and from planes taking off from Denver DIA.
Planes were sent; and they used water from Horsetooth Reservoir. At 2p.m., the air support on scene: 4 helicopters , 3 type 1 and 1 type 31 large airtanker aerial supervision – air attack1 MMA on scene1; additional Type 1 helicopter en route from Wyoming.
Day 1 – weather reports stated west / southwesterly wind-gusts of 20-30mph; but all photographs showed the wind blowing the smoke east, which was confirmed on nighttime television news. Temperatures reached 99 degrees; and approximately 17% relative humidity.
=== The Alexander smoke cloud initially rose in a single column, with a cap of wider clouds (see photo). It was what is called plume dominant. There’s so much heat rising from the fire that what little moisture exists in the atmosphere is being condensed into pyrocumulus clouds above the smoke column.
Day 2 – same conditions. High temperatures and low humidity over the fire area. Significant smoke for the rest of the week, with heavier impacts in the morning (note, for sensitive populations). At 12 noon Voluntary Evacuations ordered for Hidden Valley east of Devils Backbone including Ridge Pkwy and Spring Glade Rd to the north.
LEVEL 3 Evacuations: Masonville area
Glade Road from Highway 34 to Indian Creek
Drake to Dam Store along Highway 34 including Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain
Area of Waltonia Road, Eden Valley to Sunrise Ranch, and Sylvan Dale to Ellis Ranch
CR18E from Pole Hill to Pinewood Reservoir
Bobcat Ridge Natural Area
Flatiron Reservoir
Carter Lake
Horsetooth Reservoir was utilized in support of wildfire operations and was evacuated, the entire time, for those purposes, not due to fire.
4p.m. – The voluntary evacuation order from the north side of Carter Lake, north to Highway 34 has been upgraded to a mandatory evacuation order. Residents in the area should evacuate immediately.
4p.m. – Mandatory Evacuations have been ordered along County Road 43 from Drake to just west of Old Bridge Rd. Residents in the area should evacuate immediately.
The Estes Park Events Complex at 1125 Rooftop Way has been set up as an evacuation site. Text LCEVAC to 888777 for updates.
7p.m. – In coordination with surrounding land agencies, Coyote Ridge is closed to support Alexander Mountain fire operations.
Per US Forest Service as of 6a.m., the fire was at 992 acres with 0% containment. Over 200 ground resources were on the scene. == At approximately 10a.m. US Forest reported it at 1,820 acres. Airplanes and helicopters worked to help secure the fire perimeter and protect values at risk.
OFFICIAL Disaster Emergency: The Chair of the Larimer County Board of Commissioners declared a disaster emergency on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, due to the current and anticipated impacts of the Alexander Mountain Fire west of Loveland.
At 6 a.m. a USDA Forest Service Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire. Larimer County Sheriff’s Office continued to operate the Joint Information Center and provide information about evacuation notices, animal evacuations and road closures.
==8:30p.m. FINAL REPORT: Arapaho And Roosevelt National Forests And Pawnee National Grassland === Alexander Fire at 5,080 acres===
The Alexander Mountain Fire is currently estimated at 5,080 acres. The fire remains at 0% containment. Fire growth was primarily along the north, west and east perimeters.
As fire activity increased throughout the day multiple air resources dropped water and fire retardant to help secure the fire perimeter and protect values at risk. Over 270 firefighters were on the ground today, focusing on critical infrastructure and private property. Dry fuels, high temperatures and low humidity made for difficult firefighting conditions. Crews will staff the fire overnight. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority.
Tomorrow, firefighters plan to focus efforts on the northwest perimeter as well as the Highway 34 corridor. A Complex Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire Thursday, August 1. Hotshot Crews and multiple other resources will be arriving on scene tomorrow.
Day 3
No significant Changes overnight, in size or containment.
U.S. Forest Service-Arapaho & Roosevelt Natl Forests Pawnee Natl Grassland
#AlexanderMountainFire Morning Update (July 31, 2024) –
Smoke has settled in the immediate area and will linger until noon. The fire remained active overnight in areas with receptive fuels. No loss of infrastructure or structures have been reported. Multi-Mission Aircraft last flew at 7:30 p.m. last night, so fire acreage remains estimated at 5,080 acres with 0% containment.
Firefighters will actively engage where safe and focus efforts today to protect the communities of Cedar Cove, Cedar Park, Storm Mountain, Sylvan Dale Ranch, and eastern communities. Aircraft will continue to support suppression activities. Crews will also work to safely keep fire to the north of Highway 34 while prioritizing firefighter and public safety.
As temperatures rise today, fire activity is expected to increase. Weather forecast predicts winds out of the northeast. Hot, dry and windy conditions will persist.
=====The cause of the Alexander Mountain Fire is under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the cause and origin of the Alexander Mountain fire is asked to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at (303) 275-5266. Photographs and videos can be submitted via https://fs.us.evidence.com/…/commu…/public/amountainfire
===Alexander Fire spreads NW =====
7/31/24 Larimer County NOCO ALERT sent out notices:
===11:30am===Mandatory Evacuations Dunraven Glade
===12:40pm===Alexander Mountain Fire is 6,840 acres with 0%
===at 4:30pm===Voluntary Evacuations have been ordered for citizens in Glen Haven, west towards Dark Mountain. GATHER ESSENTIAL ITEMS AND PREPARE FOR EVACUATION.
===at 7pm===As of 7pm, the US Forest Service estimates the Alexander Mountain Fire at 7,648 acres.
8 p.m. Joint Information Center has closed. It will reopen on Aug 1 at 8 a.m.
LATEST CLOSURES DUE TO WILDFIRES + CAMPING UPDATES, July 30, 2024
Thank you for supporting our dedicated first responders by respecting closures of open spaces, campgrounds and reservoirs in evacuation and support areas for the Alexander Mountain Fire.
The following closures are in effect until further notice:
Carter Lake: CLOSED to all boating and water recreation due to the Stone Canyon Fire
HORSETOOTH RESERVOIR: CLOSED to boating and all water recreation to assist response and helicopter water fills. In effect throughout July 31.
PINEWOOD and FLATIRON RESERVOIRS: CLOSED due to location within evacuation zones.
Devil’s Backbone and Blue Sky Trial CLOSED.
The Larimer County Natural Resources Administrative Office in Loveland will remain closed until further notice.
CAMPERS:
Campers with reservations in the effected areas can call 24 hours in advance to cancel reservations for a full refund.
For fire updates and a map of evacuation zones, follow www.nocoalerts.org
Day 4, 8/1/24
The Southwest Incident Management Team, a federal response team, took over operations of the fire response at 6 a.m. Thursday. set up a dedicated Facebook page for updates to the fire Thursday morning. It can be found at facebook.com/AlexanderMountainFire.
Report by SW Team 1, Operations Section Chief, Jayson Coil,
(paraphrased summary of announcement)
Last night about 6pm we had a flight over the fire, took infrared pix that showed 7,648 acres burning. (1% contained) We have 265 people assigned to the fire (and a total of 450 Personnel). This SW team has been together for 20+ years and manage complex systems. The Operational section of the IMT works with each other, and each team will report to you each day, so you see different approaches to the reports each morning. Interim updates will be posted too.
Today twofold –The east perimeter: Masonville has about 100 homes outside the fire rim; priority to protect the homes. –Second is to protect those in the Poudre Park area NW, and Storm Mtn subdivision. –The hot shot crew worked along the Masonville line; we are protecting homes.
–Finally the Hwy 34 corridor will have resources all day to protect it from going south of 34 which is more heavy tinder.
–Plus, we will keep an eye to the west end of the fire in case it would move in that direction. –We concentrate on having enough resources, because there are fires all across the West US.
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FINAL REPORT 8/1/24 at 7pm
8,009 acres still active on both sides, zero contained. Some progress on line containment. Currently 260 personnel on the incident.
==Jason Coil: SW Team 1, chief of operations —the strategy is the same today. Significant success, but not complete success. ==The southern end, hwy 34, there’s a fiber optic line that they have been able to protect and the structures (along hwy 34), and will patrol 24 hours a day. It is the primarily 911 line and landlines in Estes Park. ==Then the west side: Cedar Park is the main focus today; they have prevented the fire moving west, along the southern end of the community, but has come into the community along the northern end; that is a field break. They are working on that area to reduce the immediate threat to the homes; and reduce the potential that the fire will move west. Further on the western side, they worked along the edge, but their is a drainage that the fire activity picked up, and it continues to move to north and west, up the drainage. It might hit the (old) Cameron Peak scar, sot hat will prevent it from moving on. === on east side near Masonville, there is a burned out canal/and edge, and that’s holding. Hotshot worked that area yesterday and it is holding. They aim to get it tied back end to the Cameron Peak fire line, and that will eliminate the majority of the threat.
===Larimer Co Officer Keeton, the evacuations remain in place, but they are very fluid, and may change in the next few days, and constantly assessing it. Unfortunate news: immediate area of Palisades Mt Drive lost two dozen structures. (not all are homes)
Q&A answers – They are picking around the rocks so that the fire doesn’t find the fuel. // We are assuming that the Cameron Peak scar will help. // About 5,200 mandatory evacuation; and 600 voluntary. // We not only have road blocks, but we have roving patrols to try to prevent theft.
8/2/24 7pm
More than 9,000 acres have burned since Monday. As of Friday afternoon, containment was at five percent. The sheriff’s office initial report said all the 30 structures are in the same area, south of Cedar Springs Reservoir, and they will be notifying the families. Thunderstorms are incoming, which might cause more damage.
The Damage Assessment Team went into the impacted area today and confirmed the damaged structures are a combination of homes and outbuildings. The structures that have been damaged or destroyed are in the immediate area of Palisade Mountain Drive and Snow Top Drive. Affected property includes: == Homes with damage: 4 == Homes destroyed: 25 == Outbuildings destroyed: 20
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8/3/24, Saturday, 11am
Area 5% contained. 9,530 acres
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“AREAS CLOSED” MAP:
Growth and activity in the Alexander Mountain Fire over recent days has lead to an increase in the size of the forest closure order. Please refer to the new map of areas currently closed to public access.
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8/3/24, 6pm. – ALEXANDER FIRE — 32% contained! grown to more than 9,668 acres as of Saturday afternoon
8/4/24 = Larimer County has set up two dates and locations for community residents in the Storm Mountain and Cedar Park areas to receive re-entry credentials.
The purpose of re-entry credentials is for post-fire access to the areas impacted by the Alexander Mountain Fire. Once fire and law enforcement officials deem the area safe, property owners will be able to present these credentials to gain access to the impacted area while maintaining security in the area. https://www.larimer.gov/alexander-mountain-fire-evacuee-re-entry-credentialing
==6pm==Size: remains at 9,668 Acres; Contained: 54%
In an exclusive interview with the Trail-Gazette last night, Sheriff John Feyen said there is still a need for vigilance, particularly near Drake, where fire lines are being established to protect communities and Highway 34. There is also active fire activity moving toward the Retreat area, but it has significantly slowed due to aggressive firefighting efforts on Storm Mountain.
==Damage Assessment:
• Homes with damage: 4• Homes destroyed: 26• Outbuildings destroyed: 21
NOTE: The Lyons Recorder will no longer summarize “official reports” (videos) due to the fire no longer gaining in size, and the containment figure growing rapidly.
8/5/24 = The day ends with 9,668 acres and 74% contained.
Many people were allowed to return home, but 900 homes are still under mandatory evacuation orders.
8/6/24 evening report = 83% contained. no new areas.
Most evacuations lifted, and people need credentials to get into their properties.
Highway 34 is open at both ends.
8/7/24 9:30p.m. = 91% contained. no new areas: 9,668 acres
8/8/24 no change (only “voluntary evacuations” are still in effect; 26 homes destroyed). “Community Recovery Phase” begins.
8/13/24 = 94% contained; remains at 9,668 acres. Stating that it was “human” started.
Increased Risk for Flash Floods and Debris Flows After Wildfires. “Serve 6.8” will provide sandbags for individuals and businesses to help protect their properties and private roadways from flash flooding. Sandbags are free of charge, to register to pick up sandbags, please fill out this form
8/17/24 = 100% contained. A total of 28 homes and 21 outbuildings lost in the fire. Final acreage of the fire has been mapped at 9,668 acres.
TO KEEP UP TO DATE, go to: https://www.larimer.gov/alexander-mountain-fire-recovery
Resources for Residents Returning Home; dumpsters, re-entry passes, and more.
**You will notice that the link now has the word “recovery” at the end of it.**
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Fire Cause: The cause of the Alexander Mountain Fire is under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the cause and origin of the Alexander Mountain fire is asked to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266. Photographs and videos can be submitted via https://fs.us.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/amountainfire.
Photographs provided by Estes Park Fire & Sheriff departments
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