Larimer County Sheriff's Galena Fire update; fire at 750 to 1,000 acres

The Galena Fire is currently estimated at approximately 750 to 1,000 acres. A Type III fire incident management team has taken command of the fire this morning. Additional crews and a Type 2 helicopter are expected to arrive today to assist local resources. The cause of the fire has been determined to be human caused.

The evacuation center is at Cache La Poudre Elementary School and the Red Cross is on scene to assist evacuees.

A meeting for residents affected by the fire will be at 2 p.m. today at Cache La Poudre School Gymnasium in LaPorte. Fire personnel will be on scene. The notice of this meeting was sent out to residents who have enrolled their communication devices with Leta911.org

Currently there are road blocks at Shoreline Drive and County Road 38E and Skyline and 38E on the south part of the fire evacuation area. Lodgepole Drive at Lory State Park is also closed. County Road 38E is open. South Bay, Inlet Bay, Lory State Park and Horsetooth Mountain Park remain closed.

Yesterday the fire was being pushed from the north by gusty winds. The area affected is north of Co Rd 38E. This includes all feeder streets to Shoreline Drive and Skyline Drive in the vicinity of Inlet Bay and north up to and including the Continental Circle area.

Winds are calm this morning but are expected to increase this afternoon. Tomorrow the winds are predicted to increase to 20 – 30 miles per hour.

Mandatory evacuation notifications were sent yesterday for the area west of Horsetooth Reservoir on the south side and those evacuations remain in effect today.

As of last night all residents of the Soldier Canyon Estates area were allowed back into their homes. Fire crews and law enforcement personnel are present in the area so please use caution and stay out of the area if not on essential business.

The next media briefing will be at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon at the Sunrise Day Use parking area off county road 23E.

Updated information will be available at the County Emergency Info Line at 498-5500.

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