At least 2 dozen structures burned as deadly wildfires rage outside Denver, Boulder
Four wildfires - Stone Canyon Fire, Alexander Mountain Fire, Quarry Fire and Lake Shore Fire - all ignited along Colorado Front Range this week
Wildfires continue to rage outside Denver, Boulder
Deadly wildfires are continues to rage across the West, including Colorado where firefighters are working to contain fires burning outside Denver and Boulder.
DENVER – Crews are continuing their work to contain and extinguish several wildfires burning across northern Colorado that have forced residents to flee their homes and left at least one person dead and two dozen homes and outbuildings destroyed.
Dry conditions, low humidity and high wind gusts have allowed the wildfires to continue to grow. But firefighters continue to pound the blazes with fire retardant from above while crews build containment lines and hit the flames with water on the ground.
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis issued a disaster emergency, allowing members of the Colorado National Guard to support the ongoing fire suppression efforts.
"Our brave first responders are working around the clock to fight the fires across the Front Range and Western Slope to protect Coloradans, our communities, property, and lands," Polis said in a statement on Wednesday. "The state is providing major support to help manage and contain these fires as quickly as possible and following my authorization, the National Guard is assisting where needed."
1 dead from Stone Canyon Fire outside Lyons
Watch: Stone Canyon Fire rages in northern Colorado
Video shared by KDVR shows aircraft dumping fire retardant on the Stone Canyon Fire as flames continue to rage north of Denver.
The Stone Canyon Fire that has been burning near the community of Lyons has turned deadly as it has destroyed at least five structures, officials said.
"So, I can confirm to you that we do have one fatality associated with this fire," Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said at a news conference on Wednesday. "I’m not going to provide any more details because it’s an active investigation that our detectives, along with fire investigators, will be conducting."
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This image shows the Stone Canyon Fire burning in Colorado on Wednesday, July31, 2024.
(KDVR)
The fire has so far burned about 1,553 acres and is 30% contained as of Friday morning, Boulder County Emergency officials said.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered earlier this week as the fire raged, but some of those had been lifted Wednesday because the fire was burning away from the community.
"We do not anticipate any more immediate evacuations in or around Lyons," Johnson said on Wednesday.
Alexander Mountain Fire destroys 2 dozen structures
Watch: Smoke from adjacent fires fill sky north of Denver
A video shared from Colorado shows smoke from the Stone Canyon Fire and Alexander Mountain Fire filling the sky on Tuesday, July 30.
Conditions have been challenging for firefighters working to get a handle on the massive Alexander Mountain Fire, which ignited near the community of Loveland on Monday.
Crews have found at least two dozen structures have been destroyed by the fire, including homes and outbuildings, Larimer County Sheriff's officials said.
Firefighters work the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County, Colorado.
(Larimer County Sheriff's Office / FOX Weather)
"We will grieve alongside our neighbors through this difficult process, and our team will be here for you in the difficult days and months ahead," Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said to those who suffered damage. "The hundreds of people assigned to this fire will continue working around the clock to keep our community safe."
Evacuations in some areas remain in effect, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
As of Thursday, the Alexander Mountain Fire has burned 7,648 acres and is 1% contained.
5 firefighters injured working Quarry Fire in Jefferson County
Watch: Helicopter dumps water on Quarry Fire in Colorado
A video shows a helicopter dumping water on the Quarry Fire which broke out in Colorado this week.
In a news conference Thursday, emergency officials in Jefferson County said five firefighters were injured while working the Quarry Fire on Wednesday.
Officials said one firefighter suffered a seizure, while four others suffered from heat exhaustion. All the firefighters are OK, and officials said most were able to return to work Thursday.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department said about 575 homes were evacuated across five subdivisions in south Jefferson County from the Quarry Fire. Two other nearby subdivisions are under pre-evacuation orders.
An evacuation center has been set up at a high school in Littleton, and large animals are being accommodated at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
The sheriff’s office said a helicopter and air tanker are working to extinguish the blaze from above, and 75 firefighters have joined the fight on the ground.
As of Thursday, the Quarry Fire has burned about 341 acres and continues to grow.
Lake Shore Fire ignites outside Boulder
The Lake Shore Fire became the fourth wildfire to ignite along the Colorado Front Range this week.
The fire burned 7 acres as of Friday but was now considered secure. Some evacuations were ordered around the Gross Reservoir during the initial stages of the fire.
Blaze brings up memories of deadly Marshall Fire in 2021
Chaos at Colorado Costco: Shoppers evacuate as grassfires spread
Video shows shoppers evacuating a Costco in Superior, Colorado as high winds make for dangerous grassfire conditions. (Video from December 2021)
The fires burning across northern Colorado are bringing up painful memories of the Marshall Fire that left two people dead in 2021.
The Marshall Fire erupted on Dec. 30, 2021, outside Boulder, as hurricane-force winds whipped across the region. Winds gusted to nearly 100 mph closer to the foothills of the mountains.
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Image 1 of 23SUPERIOR, CO - DECEMBER 30: A horse runs through Grasso Park on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. The horse was later found by Sheriff deputies and reunited with the owners. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
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Image 2 of 23Smoke envelopes homes and covers the sun on December 30, 2021, in Superior, Colorado. (Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)
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Image 3 of 23SUPERIOR, COLORADO - JANUARY 4: A resident in the Rock Creek neighborhood ask Alan Duffy, of Broomfield, to guide his 5-year-old Bloodhound named Amber to search for their lost pets amid the ashes of their destroyed home form the Marshall Fire. (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
![SUPERIOR, CO - DECEMBER 30: A Christmas wreath hangs on the side of a house where fire creeps towards the back on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. Fierce winds have whipped wildfires in Boulder County. The towns of Superior and Louisville have been evacuated. Multiple homes and businesses have burned from the fast moving fire stocked by fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. The fire has officially been named the Marshall Fire. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 23A Christmas wreath hangs on the side of a house where fire creeps towards the back on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. Fierce winds have whipped wildfires in Boulder County. The towns of Superior and Louisville have been evacuated. Multiple homes and businesses have burned from the fast moving fire stocked by fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. The fire has officially been named the Marshall Fire. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
![SUPERIOR, CO - DECEMBER 30: Fires burn fences near structures and homes in the historic downtown area on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. Fierce winds have whipped wildfires in Boulder County. The towns of Superior and Louisville have been evacuated. Multiple homes and businesses have burned from the fast moving fire stocked by fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. The fire has officially been named the Marshall Fire. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 23Fires burn fences near structures and homes in the historic downtown area on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. (Helen H. Richardson / MediaNews Group / The Denver Post)
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Image 6 of 23Firefighters point directions for evacuation in neighborhoods on December 30, 2021 in Superior, Colorado. Fierce winds have whipped wildfires in Boulder County, The towns of Superior and Louisville have been evacuated. Multiple homes and businesses have burned so far from the fast moving fire stocked by fierce winds, with gusts topping 100 mph, along the foothills. The fire has been called the Marshall Fire. (Helen H. Richardson)
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Image 7 of 23Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. - Hundreds of homes are feared lost in fast-moving wildfires in the US state of Colorado, officials said Thursday, as flames tear through areas desiccated by a historic drought. At least 1,600 acres have burned in Boulder County, much of it suburban, with warnings that deaths and injuries were likely as the blaze engulfes hotels and shopping centers. Extreme winds topping 100 mph caused grass fires to quickly spread into the Colorado towns of Superior and Louisville resulting in the mandatory evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency due to the grass fires in Boulder County. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 8 of 23Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. - Hundreds of homes are feared lost in fast-moving wildfires in the US state of Colorado, officials said Thursday, as flames tear through areas desiccated by a historic drought. At least 1,600 acres have burned in Boulder County, much of it suburban, with warnings that deaths and injuries were likely as the blaze engulfes hotels and shopping centers. Extreme winds topping 100 mph caused grass fires to quickly spread into the Colorado towns of Superior and Louisville resulting in the mandatory evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency due to the grass fires in Boulder County. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 9 of 23Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. - Hundreds of homes are feared lost in fast-moving wildfires in the US state of Colorado, officials said Thursday, as flames tear through areas desiccated by a historic drought. At least 1,600 acres have burned in Boulder County, much of it suburban, with warnings that deaths and injuries were likely as the blaze engulfes hotels and shopping centers. Extreme winds topping 100 mph caused grass fires to quickly spread into the Colorado towns of Superior and Louisville resulting in the mandatory evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency due to the grass fires in Boulder County. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 10 of 23Flames engulf homes as the Marshall Fire spreads through a neighborhood in the town of Superior in Boulder County, Colorado on December 30, 2021. - Hundreds of homes are feared lost in fast-moving wildfires in the US state of Colorado, officials said Thursday, as flames tear through areas desiccated by a historic drought. At least 1,600 acres have burned in Boulder County, much of it suburban, with warnings that deaths and injuries were likely as the blaze engulfes hotels and shopping centers. Extreme winds topping 100 mph caused grass fires to quickly spread into the Colorado towns of Superior and Louisville resulting in the mandatory evacuation of over 30,000 residents. Colorado Governor Jared Polis has declared a state of emergency due to the grass fires in Boulder County. (Photo by Jason Connolly / AFP) (Photo by JASON CONNOLLY/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![Photos of the Marshall Fire in Superior, CO on Dec. 30, 2021.]()
Image 11 of 23Photos of the Marshall Fire in Superior, CO on Dec. 30, 2021. (Image: Aaron Rigsby/LSM) ( )
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Image 12 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 13 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 14 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 15 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 16 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 17 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 18 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 19 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 20 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 21 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 22 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 23 of 23BROOMFIELD, COLORADO - DECEMBER 30: The Marshall Fire continues to burn out of control on December 30, 2021 in Broomfield, Colorado. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) (RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post)
The flames from the Marshall Fire quickly overwhelmed communities and forced more than 30,000 people to evacuate.
Within 24 hours, the Marshall Fire destroyed more than 1,000 structures and scorched more than 6,000 acres.
Marshall Fire Before and After
Before and after photos from the Marshall Fire that destroyed several neighborhoods in the Boulder, Colorado area. (Imagery courtesy: Maxar)
"This was a disaster in fast motion all over the course of half a day," Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said during a news conference the day after the fire. "Many families having minutes, minutes to get whatever they could – their pets, their kids – into the car and leave. The last 24 hours have been devastating. It's really unimaginable."
The Colorado communities of Louisville, Superior and Marshall were heavily impacted by the blaze, which officials said was "likely the single most destructive event in Boulder County’s history."