Crews get the upper hand on NCAR fire in Colorado

02:33

NCAR Fire now 190 acres, 80 percent contained

The NCAR Fire is now 190 acres and 80 percent contained. 

BOULDER, Colo. – Firefighters have continued to gain control over a wildfire that broke out near the National Center for Atmospheric Research facility in Boulder, Colorado, on Saturday.

At a news conference on Tuesday, emergency officials said the NCAR Fire is holding steady at 190 acres but is 80% contained.

HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV

 

"Our biggest concern today is just the crew's safety," Boulder Emergency Management Director Mike Chard said. "If things start getting wet, it gets slippery, it's steep ground and things get muddy. If we really start getting a lot of moisture, obviously that's good for the fire, but it's bad for firefighting."

If conditions on the mountain get worse for firefighters, Chard said he would pull crews back and move into more of a patrol type of status.

And because of the progress made in getting the fire under control, firefighting operations would be scaled down at the end of the day on Tuesday.

MAKING SENSE OF WILDFIRE JARGON

00:31

Long night for Colorado firefighters

A local firefighter took video from the front line of the NCAR Fire Saturday night.

Firefighters are expected to continue to work the perimeter of the fire to surround it and then work towards the center of the blaze.

As this happens, officials warned smoke would be visible for at least the next few days until the fire dies out.

Chard said there were currently about 70 firefighters working to extinguish the fire on Tuesday.

When the fire broke out on Saturday, more than 19,000 residents from about 8,000 homes were told to evacuate the area. Those orders were lifted by late Sunday afternoon.

Luckily, no injuries or deaths have been reported due to the fire. Also, officials said no structures have been lost.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire but have pinpointed the origin point.