Colorado Wildfire Forces Evacuations in Larimer County

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In Northern Colorado, near the entrance of Big Thompson Canyon in Larimer County, a wildfire named the Alexander Mountain Fire has rapidly expanded to roughly 950 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations. By Monday evening, the fire remained uncontained with no reported injuries.

The wildfire is situated around 20 miles west of Loveland, with thick smoke visible from Fort Collins and Boulder.

Larimer County Sheriff's Office emergency operations director, Justin Whitesell, emphasized that the primary objective is evacuating residents safely. "Our main goal is to ensure people are out of harm's way and prepare for the potential threat to structures," Whitesell stated.

As of 3:30 p.m., the mandatory evacuation zone covered areas north and south of Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon, from Drake to the Dam Store west of Loveland. The northern boundary extends westward, stopping short of Glen Haven, while the southern boundary includes Pinewood Reservoir but excludes Carter Lake. The evacuation area also encompasses County Road 18 east from Pole Hill to Pinewood Reservoir.

Voluntary evacuations are in place for several areas, including Waltonia Road, Eden Valley to Sunrise Ranch, and Sylvan Dale to Ellis Ranch.

"Evacuation zones have been established around the fire," Whitesell added.

Highway 34 has been closed in both directions, and residents are advised to avoid the area.

Overnight shelters have been established by the American Red Cross at Foundations Church, 1380 Denver Avenue in Loveland, and the Estes Park Events Complex, 1125 Rooftop Way in Estes Park. An evacuation center for animals is available at The Ranch, 5290 Arena Circle in Loveland.

The fire, burning on U.S. Forest Service land, prompted the deployment of several aircraft for water drops, with water sourced from Horsetooth Reservoir. Consequently, Horsetooth Reservoir is closed to recreational activities until further notice.

Firefighting efforts include ground crews from the U.S. Forest Service and Loveland Fire Rescue. The cause of the fire has not been determined.

Linda Renaud, a resident near Storm Mountain, is within the mandatory evacuation zone and has left her home. "We can see the fire and smoke from our hilltop. It's difficult to gauge its proximity," she said. Renaud, who previously evacuated during the Cameron Peak Fire in 2020, was ready to leave quickly. "I'm packing essentials and preparing my pets for the evacuation," she added. "Fortunately, we have friends who can accommodate us."