By the end of Wednesday, the High Park Fire had burned an estimated 46,820 acres of primarily private land and remains only 10 percent contained. The western edge of the fire has entered an area of beetle-killed pine, providing fast-burning fuel in rugged terrain. At 9:30 p.m., the Larimer County Sheriff’s Department reported more than 1,263 firefighters are working on a 24-hour schedule with night shifts and day shifts.
The fire, first reported on Saturday, June 9, remains north of Buckhorn Road and south of Colorado Highway 14 where it had not already crossed, thanks to water and fire retardant drops from 30 aircraft. Structure protection is ongoing throughout the fire area, both the interior and along the perimeter.
More than 600 homes have been evacuated because of the fire, and pre-evacuation notices have been sent to all residences in Glacier View, but some residents already have been allowed to return to their homes. Evacuations have been lifted in the Shoreline Drive area from north of County Road 38E from the west side of Horsetooth Reservoir to just east of County Road 25E. Residents will need to provide identification with proof of address to receive credentials allowing them into the area. These credentials can be obtained at the road block or at the evacuation center at The Ranch in Loveland.
The first evacuation lifted, at noon on Tuesday, was for residents south of County Road 38E between Milner Ranch Road and Gindler Ranch Road. Those who have already re-entered the area now need to obtain credentials at the road block or at the evacuation center.
Evacuations have also been lifted for residents of the Bellvue area from County Road 27E to the east, excluding Brianna Lane and Suri Trail. This area does not have a road block and credentials are not necessary to access these roads.
Officials are evaluating the Bonner Peak and Bonner Springs Ranch area and anticipate that residents will be allowed to return Thursday. More information will be available tomorrow.
More information about the High Park Fire is available from Larimer County Emergency Management at 970-498-5500 or www.larimer.org.
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