Colorado wildfires: Evacuations lifted for Quarry fire as rain and cooler weather help firefighters

Scattered storms dropped rain across much of Colorado on Monday, assisting firefighters statewide.

More rain is possible for both the Front Range and the Western Slope through the rest of the week, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesday and Wednesday will still bring temperatures that could reach the mid-90s, but conditions will be cooler starting Thursday. However, high winds could pose some challenges to fire crews.

Air quality is much better Tuesday than it has been, with the entire state reaching "good" status, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. An ozone alert is in place through 4 p.m. for the Front Range urban corridor. Sensitive groups, like the young and elderly, may experience health impacts due to smoke near the ongoing wildfires.

Alexander Mountain fire

Light rain Monday evening helped firefighters make significant progress toward containing the Alexander Mountain fire burning west of Loveland. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office said it has completed a survey of all structures impacted by the fire. It confirmed 26 homes were destroyed and four others were damaged. At least 21 outbuildings were also destroyed.

• Crews were able to push fire containment up to 74 percent as of Tuesday morning.
• The size of the fire is estimated at about 9,668 acres or 15 square miles. 
• The cause of the fire is under investigation and the U.S. Forest Service is accepting evidence here.
• Evacuation orders close to the center of the fire remain in place Tuesday. Several zones on the western and southeastern edges of the fire have been downgraded to a voluntary evacuation notice.
• By Monday, all residents with buildings damaged or destroyed by the fire should have received a phone call notifying them. The sheriff's office said if you did not receive a call, there is no known damage to your property.
• Residents of the Storm Mountain and Cedar Park communities may be allowed to return home this week, but they must have credentials to access their properties. Officials began distributing those credentials Monday.
• Officials have restored power to a portion of Highway 34 that runs west from The Dam Store to Idlewild Ln. That area is now safe for re-entry, but is only open to residents.

Quarry fire

The Quarry fire burning west of Littleton remains the state’s most complex fire. Crews have been hampered by difficult-to-navigate terrain, but light precipitation yesterday is expected to help firefighters.

• As of Monday afternoon, the fire covered about 527 acres — or nearly one square mile — and was at 45 percent containment. 
• All mandatory evacuation orders lifted at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Pre-evacuation notices are still in place for the Sampson, Maxwell, McKinney Ranch and Murphy Gulch areas.
• Neighborhoods previously under pre-evacuation notices are no longer on high alert.
• The sheriff's office said it will allow residents with access cards to return home, but general access will not open until Thursday. Access credentials are issued at the evacuation center set up at Dakota Ridge High School.
• Officials said the fire was likely human-caused and they are investigating it as arson. 
• People returning home can consult this guide from the sheriff's office for information on how to safely check their property.
• County officials say residents who are no longer in a pre-evacuation area should pick up any large animals they dropped off to shelter at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds

Other fires across the state:

Bucktail fire

Firefighters battling the Bucktail fire burning near Nucla are hoping relatively high humidity and scattered showers will help them gain ground on the growing blaze in southwest Colorado. 

• The fire grew to 3,738 acres, nearly 6 square miles, according to National Forest officials Monday afternoon. The fire is 7 percent contained.
• Officials said fire activity Monday was "the quietest of this incident so far, even though thunderstorms brought strong wind gusts for a brief time." A statement from the U.S. Forest Service said the focus has shifted from an initial response to a longer-term suppression effort.
• No buildings are threatened and no evacuations are in place.
• The area could receive more rain from scattered thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon.

Stone Canyon fire

The Stone Canyon fire was fully contained as of Sunday evening, according to the Boulder Office of Disaster Management. The fire burned more than two square miles north of Lyons, killing one person and destroying at least five buildings. 

The fire’s cause is still under investigation. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is helping with the review.

Currant Creek fire

The Currant Creek fire burning in western Colorado near Cedaredge was fully contained Sunday.

This is a developing story and may be updated.