The Stone Canyon Fire in Lyons and Lake Shore Fire near Nederland’s Gross Reservoir were each fully contained as of Aug. 4 and Aug. 1, respectively, according to Boulder County’s Office of Disaster Management (ODM). All evacuation orders and road closures are lifted and recovery efforts are underway.
The Stone Canyon Fire, which began July 30, burned 1,557 acres and destroyed five residences. Two firefighters were injured, and one death associated with the fire is under investigation. The identity of the victim will be released by the coroner’s office once the remains have been identified and next of kin are notified.
The cause of the fire has not been determined as of Aug. 5, but the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has been called in to investigate. ATF’s certified fire investigators “are special agents with highly specialized training in investigating fire and arson-related crimes,” according to the bureau’s website.
Crews continued patrol and mop-up operations Aug. 5. According to a Lyons Fire Protection District Facebook post, smoke may still be coming from the area and 911 should only be called if flames are visible or if there is smoke outside of the burn area.
The Lakeshore Fire was contained at seven acres, according to an Aug. 1 ODM release.
The fires were just two of several across the Front Range that week. The Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County had burned 9,668 acres and was 54% contained as of Aug. 5, and the Quarry Fire in Jefferson County had burned 472 acres and was 35% contained as of Aug. 5.
With hot, dry weather in the forecast, Stage 2 fire restrictions are in effect in unincorporated Boulder County as of Aug. 5, prohibiting open fires, campfires and stove fires on private and public lands including in developed picnic and campgrounds. Use of charcoal grills and barbecues are prohibited, as are fireworks. Smoking is only allowed in “an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least ten feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.”
Read the full restrictions and penalties at bit.ly/4ccB3cL
Resources for those impacted by the fires, including insurance tips, food safety guidelines and trauma care, are available at bit.ly/3YxPC7J
Visit bit.ly/4dA4hn7 to sign up for location-specific alerts and evacuation orders. Text “BOCOinfo” to 888777 for general updates and alerts from ODM.
In other news…
• Longmont’s Valarie Allman took home gold in the Paris Olympics discus throw, making her the first U.S. woman with back-to-back Olympic wins in the event. The 29-year-old attended Silver Creek High.
• The Academy of American Poets awarded a $50,000 fellowship to Colorado Poet Laureate and longtime Boulder resident Andrea Gibson to create an anthology with all five living Colorado poets laureate and host poetry readings and workshops in rural schools and libraries.