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The Stone Canyon fire near Lyons was about 30 percent contained and covered nearly two-and-a-half square miles north of Lyons on Friday, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management. Firefighters are keeping a close eye on thunderstorms, which could increase winds, and they don't expect to be assisted with air drops because aircraft are being used to fight other fires that are more actively spreading.
- One person was killed and at least five homes were destroyed by the Stone Canyon fire. Police said the body was found in one of the homes that burned.
- Four firefighters were also injured earlier in the week while working to contain the blaze. Officials said two firefighters were hurt due to "the environment," not the fire itself, and did not provide further details.
- The fire’s cause is still under investigation, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said. Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are now working with Boulder County officials.
- Authorities ordered evacuations for a wide region northeast of Lyons that extends from Ute Highway northeast to Devil’s Gulch and northwest to Carter Lake Reservoir. Some evacuation orders were lifted Thursday afternoon.
- Crews from about a dozen Colorado agencies have helped fight the fire, including air drops of water and fire retardant to help smother the flames.
Stone Canyon evacuation information
- No evacuation centers have been set up for the Stone Canyon fire.
- Residents can take large animals to the Jefferson County Fairgrounds at 15200 W. 6th Ave. in Golden. For help with animal or livestock rescue or evacuation, fill out this form.
- Small animals can go to the Boulder Valley Humane Society at 2323 55th St. in Boulder or to the Longmont Humane Society at 9595 Nelson Rd. in Longmont.
- A call center (303-413-7730) is open for non-emergency questions and inquiries from community members impacted by the Stone Canyon fire.
Stone Canyon road closures
- Steamboat Valley Road closure has moved north to the mile 2 marker.
- Stone Canyon Drive is open to Eagle Ridge Road for residents.
- Nolan Road is open to Eagle Ridge Road for residents.
- There will be checkpoints at Stone Canyon and Nolan Road for drivers to show proof of residency before they're allowed to access the area.
Heavy smoke on the northern Front Range from the Quarry, Stone Canyon and Alexander Mountain fires is expected Friday, according to the National Weather Service. Places south of metro Denver may also experience heavy smoke. State health authorities have issued an air quality alert for much of the region.
Crews also worked to contain three other wildfires across the state this week, including two that are actively burning in western Colorado
Bucktail fire
Crews are using ground teams and airdrops and racing to control the Bucktail fire near Nucla in western Colorado, which authorities said is exhibiting extreme fire behavior and has “very high spread potential.”
- The fire was uncontained as of Friday morning, according to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office.
- No injuries or major damage has been reported. No buildings are threatened, but the fire is producing heavy smoke across the area.
- County Road 25 Mesa has been closed due to firefighting efforts. That closure extends from the County Road 25 Mesa and Divide Road intersection to where the pavement starts outside of Nucla, the sheriff’s office said.
Lake Shore fire
Evacuations were lifted and roads reopened near the small wildfire that ignited near the Gross Reservoir in Boulder County. The seven-acre Lake Shore fire has not spread, Mountain View Rescue said Thursday, and crews were wrapping up firefighting efforts.
- Earlier this week, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said the fire didn’t appear to be intentionally started but was a “human-caused fire.” Investigators are interviewing two people as part of the investigation into the fire’s cause.
Currant Creek fire
The small Currant Creek fire ignited on July 27 has burned around 200 acres near Cedaredge in western Colorado. The fire’s growth has slowed and crews are in the final stages of firefighting efforts, though dangerous wildfire conditions still cover the area, authorities said.
- The fire was 56 percent contained as of Thursday, authorities said.
- Currant Creek Road is closed to non-residents at the intersection with Cactus Park road
This is a developing story and will be updated.
