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'Slow-moving' wildfire burning in Boulder near Mallory Cave trail

Wisps of smoke can be seen wafting from a valley blanketed by trees. A mountain can be seen to the right, behind the smoke, along with a very large white cloud. It is a clear, sunny day. In the foreground is a trail marker and drier grasses and a trail.
Gabe Allen
/
KUNC News
Smoke can be seen from the Dinosaur Fire, which is burning near Boulder and the National Center for Atmospheric Research. In the foreground is the trail marker for the NCAR Table Mesa Trail, located at Vassar Drive and Table Mesa Drive in Boulder. All trails are closed in the area, and roads are closed past this point.

Crews are battling a wildfire in Boulder near the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The NCAR campus has been evacuated, though officials say the Dinosaur Fire is currently not threatening any structures.

Boulder Fire Rescue has brought in crews from across the Front Range to assist, including Mountain View Fire Rescue, Boulder Rural Fire, Left Hand Fire and Fourmile Fire.

Xcel Energy was on standby in case power needed to be shut down to the NCAR campus.

The Boulder Office of Disaster Management called the fire "slow-moving." It started this morning near Mallory Cave Trail. All trails in the area are closed.

As of 2:30 p.m., the fire was about 3.5 acres.

The Colorado Department of Public Health has also issued an air quality alert because of smoke from the wildfire. The advisory is in effect from Friday at 1 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday.

While there are no evacuation orders in place, the Boulder Office of Disaster Management is telling those who need more time or have to transport medical equipment to begin making preparation plans.

To receive text alerts on the fire, text "BOCOinfo" to 888777.

For live camera views and time lapse views of the area, go to AlertWest.

For maps to track the fire, go to Watch Duty.

This is a breaking news story. More updates will follow.