Wind-driven wildfires burn west and northwest of Fort Collins

Poudre Fire Authority fire crews, with the help from surrounding agencies including the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, fought two wildland fires near Fort Collins on March 15. One fire was located in Lory State Park, just west of Fort Collins, the other near LaPorte.

Bernita Sterling, owner of a rental home at 2325 Eddy Lane in LaPorte, turns her head from the heavy smoke as she keeps the fire at bay with her garden hose. The March 15 wildfire threatened at least three homes northwest of Fort Collins. Photo by Doug Conarroe, North Forty News
Bernita Sterling, owner of a rental home at 2325 Eddy Lane in Laporte, turns her head from the heavy smoke as she keeps the fire at bay with her garden hose. The March 15 wildfire threatened at least three homes northwest of Fort Collins. Photo by Doug Conarroe, North Forty News

The Galena fire was approximately 700 acres in size as of 7 p.m. March 15.

Just after 1 p.m. on March 15, a second wildland fire was reported at 2500 Eddy Lane, northwest of Fort Collins. Resources were diverted from the Galena Fire. The cause of both fires is undetermined.

Evacuations were initially sent for residents living north and west of Lory State Park. This includes residents living on Red Cedar Drive and Galena Ct. Additional evacuations were sent to residents living west of Horsetooth Reservoir on the south side.

Firefighters battle a wildfire northwest of Fort Collins near LaPorte on March 15.
Firefighters battle a wildfire northwest of Fort Collins near LaPorte on March 15.

Both fires were pushed from the north by strong winds. The area affected was north of Co Rd 38e, including all feeder streets to Shoreline Drive in the vicinity of Inlet Bay and north up to and including the Continental Circle area.

The evacuation center and shelter remains Cache la Poudre Elementary in LaPorte but other options may be explored as circumstances warrant.

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