Lewstone Fire in Rist Canyon Prompts More Larimer County Evacuations

PHOTO BY BLAINE HOWERTON; The Lewstone as seen from the High Park Burn area, 1 mile South of Poudre Canyon
Updated Aug 24, 2020 at 4:09 pm

A quickly spreading fire 10 miles Northwest of Fort Collins on Saturday afternoon prompted mandatory evacuations North of Rist Canyon Road (County Road 52E). The Lewstone fire had spread to 120 acres within hours. Fire resources from the Cameron Peak fire were pulled to fight the fire.

At 5:45 pm Saturday, Larimer County reported the fire was at about 30 acres with 2 air tankers, 2 heavy helicopters, and 80 personnel on the scene or en route. By 11:00 pm, it was reported to be at 140 acres with zero containment.

Air tankers could be seen circling — dropping slurry. Helicopters were dropping water, only 1 mile South of Poudre Canyon.

Operations continued through Sunday.

Larimer County reported Monday afternoon the fire is holding at 165 acres with 180 personnel on the fire. Monday there was no new growth. The fire is at 12% containment.

The county also reported Monday afternoon a downgrade in mandatory and voluntary evacuations (see notice below).


Video by Blaine Howerton: The view from the Northside of the Lewstone fire — as seen from the High Park Burn area, only 1 mile South of Poudre Canyon

A Red Cross shelter was established in LaPorte at Cache La Poudre Middle School at 3515 W County Road 54G. Due COVID-19 precautions, however, the shelter is not housing people. A number of hotel rooms have been designated for evacuees up and down the front range. Residents needing shelter are encouraged to contact the Red Cross at the LaPorte shelter for assistance.

This post will continue to be updated as new information is available: https://northfortynews.com/lewstonefire

Current Evacuations in Larimer County

Lewstone Fire Updates

Lewstone Fire From Larimer County Sheriff twitter:

8/27/20 6 pm update

Fire is controlled & will be monitored. Crews will resume work in the morning. Smoke & flames will be visible. Fire did receive light precipitation today.

(from NOCO Alert)

#LewstoneFire Update – Crews monitored the fire overnight and observed no growth. Containment percent: 65, acres: 165. Air resources have not been ordered today, approximately 100 firefighters will continue to work towards containment. State resources are preparing to demobilize and return command to LCSO Emergency Services at the end of the day.

#LewstoneFire Update – Operations are continuing as expected, with no growth on the fire. State resources still expect to release command to LCSO Emergency Services at the end of the day. Visit https://nocoalert.org for information on evacuation orders and road closures.

LCSO – Lewstone Mandatory Evac Downgraded to Voluntary Pine Acres

2020-08-24 16:10:22 MDT

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with an update on the Lewstone Fire evacuation for the Pine Acres residential area north of the Rist Canyon Road. Fire officials have downgraded the mandatory evacuation orders to voluntary evacuations for your area. Please use caution going back into those areas, as fire crews are still present in the vicinity. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

Lewstone Fire Update

2020-08-24 15:16:35 MDT

#LewstoneFire update – Holding at 165 acres, 12 percent containment, with 180 personnel on scene. Crews are working hard constructing hand lines and ongoing mop-up operations. Steady progress today with minimal fire behavior.

LCSO – Lewstone Voluntary Evacs Lifted Stratton Park Davis Ranch Whale Rock

2020-08-24 16:02:14 MDT

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with updates on the Lewstone Fire evacuations for Stratton Park, Davis Ranch and Whale Rock residents. Fire officials have lifted the voluntary evacuation orders for your area. Please use caution going back into those areas, as fire crews are still present in the vicinity. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

LewstoneFire Update

2020-08-24 07:41:01 MDT

#LewstoneFire Update – There was not much activity overnight on the Lewstone Fire. This morning, command reports the fire is still ~165 acres with 12% containment. 180 firefighters are beginning their operational period, and there will be aircraft as needed after 10 a.m.

LCSO – Evacuation Downgrade for Whale Rock and Davis Ranch Areas

2020-08-23 18:02:53 MDT

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with an update on evacuation levels for the Lewstone Fire in the areas south of the Rist Canyon Road for Whale Rock Road and Davis Ranch Road residents. Fire officials have advised that the mandatory evacuation area from Whale Rock Road west to the Davis Ranch Road may now be downgraded to voluntary evacuations. You are encouraged to stay alert to the fire information you have access to in an effort to stay aware of your surroundings. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

Lewstone Fire Update

2020-08-23 16:09:58 MDT

#LewstoneFire – Extensive air resources used throughout day making progress supporting 170+ ground personnel. Holding @ 165 acres, zero containment. Map https://nocoalert.org/ now shows burn area. Thanks to the community for your continued support of the firefighters & deputies!

LCSO – Wildfire Voluntary Evacuation advised

2020-08-23 13:59:42 MDT

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with an emergency message. The Lewstone Fire officials have issued voluntary evacuations for residents in the Stratton Park Road area, north of Rist Canyon Road (County Road 52E) if residents are concerned for their safety, feel they need additional time to exit the area, or have health conditions that may be aggravated by this incident. You are encouraged to move livestock and pets out of the area and to prepare for mandatory evacuations. For updates, text the word LEWSTONE to 888777 from your cell phone. We will communicate information to that key word as needed. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

LEWSTONE Fire Update

2020-08-23 09:54:20 MDT

#LewstoneFire Update – There was little fire growth overnight, still approx. 140 acres. 0% containment. 70+ Firefighters on the ground, with additional crews and air resources coming today. DFPC is commanding the incident, but information will continue to come from LCSO. No changes to evacuation orders to report this morning.

LCSO – Wildfire Large Animal Evac Information

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with followup information. If you are in the Mandatory evacuation area for the Lewstone Fire, large animals can be taken to The Ranch. If you need help with large animal evacuations, please call 970-443-3231. Small animals can go to the Humane Society by calling 970-226-3647, ext. 7. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

Lewstone Fire Update

#LewstoneFire – MMA maps fire at 140 acres, zero containment. Engines patrolling overnight. Additional crews, equipment, & air resources tomorrow. Incident Commander says low fire activity expected tonight.

LCSO – Wildfire Madatory Evacuations ordered

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with an emergency message. Mandatory Evacuations have been ordered for residents on the Davis Ranch Road and west to include all residential streets in the area due to immediate and imminent danger. Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety, but also allows emergency crews better access to the area. For updates, text the word LEWSTONE to 888777 from your cell phone. We will communicate information to that key word as needed. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

Lewstone Fire Update

#LewstoneFire – Fire is estimated at 60 acres and zero containment. Air and ground resources are working hard.

Lewstone Fire Update

#LewstoneFire – If you are leaving from the Davis Ranch Rd side of the fire, go west on Rist Canyon Rd. You can then go north or south on Stove Prairie Rd. If you are leaving from the Whale Rock Rd side of the fire, go east on Rist Canyon Rd.

LCSO – Wildfire Madatory Evacuations ordered

This is the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office with an emergency message. Fire officials have upgraded the area south of the Rist Canyon Road from Whale Rock Road to Davis Ranch Road to a mandatory evacuation due to immediate and imminent danger. Evacuate the area immediately and as quickly as possible. Do not delay leaving to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home or business. Evacuating immediately not only supports your safety, but also allows emergency crews better access to the area. The evacuation point is the CLP Middle School at 3515 W County Road 54G . For updates, text the word LEWSTONE to 888777 from your cell phone. We will communicate information to that key word as needed. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you are in danger. Thank you.

Lewstone Fire Update

#LewstoneFire – updated evac map at https://nocoalert.org/ includes mandatory & voluntary evacs. Using map you can enter your address to see if you are in an evac area.

Lewstone Fire Update

#LewstoneFire – approx 30 – 40 acres, no known cause at this time. 2 air tankers, 2 heavy helicopters, 80 personnel on scene or en route. Pine Acres subdivision in mandatory evacs – see map https://nocoalert.org/

Support Northern Colorado Journalism

Show your support for North Forty News by helping us produce more content. It's a kind and simple gesture that will help us continue to bring more content to you.

BONUS - Donors get a link in their receipt to sign up for our once-per-week instant text messaging alert. Get your e-copy of North Forty News the moment it is released!

Click to Donate