Stuart Hole Fire: 100% Contained

The Stuart Hole Fire was reported on Monday, June 4th in the area of CR82E and Boxer Ranch Road north west of Livermore, CO.

06/07/2012 Updated 3:45 p.m. Via the Larimer Sheriff on Twitter

06/07/12 Update 10:40 a.m.

The Stuart Hole is now 95% contained. About a ¼ inch of rain fell over the 227 acre fire sight overnight. As a result there will be no aerial support on the fire today. Full containment is expected this evening. The fire was sparked by lightning. Two to three out buildings were damaged by the fire. Residents can expect to see smoke in the area for several days. The latest cost estimate to fight the fire is $324,000. 

06/06/12 Update 4:10 p.m.

Firefighters experienced another good day fighting the lightning sparked Stuart Hole Fire today and good progress was made with containment. Containment of the 227 acre fire is now reported at 80%. Some resources were released from the fire today. Current cost estimate for the fire is $324,000. Road restrictions in the area will be lifted beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight. Smoke and possibly flames will continue to be visible for some time in the area.

The Larimer Sheriff does not have any briefings scheduled for Wednesday (6/6). With that in mind, this post will only be updated as information is released.

06/06/2012 - Update 8:34 a.m.

The Larimer County Sheriff is reporting this morning that the fire remains 45% contained and currently at 227 Acres.

With winds still expected in the area, efforts on the fire today will be focused on containment, structure protection, and the start of mop-up operations. There are 120 firefighters and a Type 3 helicopter fighting the fire, a single engine air tanker (SEAT) is available as needed.

After rescinding evacuations last night, there are no active evacuations but residents are being told to remain ready and prepared should that change.

06/06/2012 - Update 7:22 a.m.

Residents of thirteen houses evacuated because of the Stuart Hole Fire returned home last night. Containment of the wildfire still stands at 45%.

Authorities have said that the cause of the fire is lightning. As heard on KUNC News this morning from Nick Christensen, spokesman for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office:

The fire has burned almost 230 acres so far.

06/05/2012 - Update 4:20 p.m.

The Stuart Hole Fire evacuations for the 13 homes in the Boxer Ranch subdivision will be lifted this evening at 6:00 p.m.  Residents will be allowed to return to their homes.  All residents in the area should remain alert for changing conditions and be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The fire remains at 227 acres and is now 45% contained.

06/05/2012 Update 3:45 p.m.

The cause of the Stuart Hole fire is lightning. Latest size estimates place the fire at 227 acres. The fire is 45% contained. No additional structures have been reported damaged other than the two to three out buildings previously reported.

06/05/2012 - Update 2:47 p.m.

Here are some collected pictures via Twitter. These have been taken in and around the fire, both today and Monday.

06/05/2012 - Update 1:35 p.m. Via Larimer Sheriff on Twitter

06/05/2012 - Update 1:21 p.m.

A map of the fire has been released by the Larimer County GIS Department. We have updated the lead photo of this post with it. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

06/05/2012 - Update 12:00 p.m.

A small air tanker and helicopters are helping crews fight a wildfire burning on about 200 acres in northern Colorado.  The fire is still 0% contained.

2 to 3 out buildings have been damaged. No structures have been damaged. Tony Simons is with the Larimer County Sherriff’s Office and heading up the management team on the fire.

“The fire came relatively close to numerous structures – due to firefighter actions and aircraft in the area we were able to protect a majority of the structures.”

Simons says firefighting efforts could be hampered this afternoon with wind gusts up to 40 mph are expected over the fire scene.

“A lot of its going to be dependent on our weather. What’s happening now is the fire is burning into fuel pockets it’s kind of getting hung up in the rocky terrain that it is and its spotting into additional receptive fuels and its carrying growth that way.”

The Stuart Hole fire was reported Monday afternoon and is burning about 40 miles northwest of Fort Collins. It's roughly 10 miles north of the Hewlett fire that scorched more than 7,500 acres or about 12 square miles last month.

06/05/2012 - Update 11:34 a.m. Via Steve Segin on Twitter

Important information to keep abreast of. KUNC reported on Monday afternoon on the extension of the Larimer County fire ban, which was extended after the Hewlett Fire.

06/05/2012 - Update 11:06 a.m. Via the Larimer Sheriff on Twitter

06/05/2012 - Update 10 a.m.

There was very little growth in Stuart Hole fire overnight. It’s estimated at 200 plus acres and 0% containment. No residences have been damaged – but two or possibly three out building structures have sustained damage. Evacuations remain in place for 13 homes in the Boxer Ranch subdivision along Boxer Ranch Road. 53 homes to the north and south of CR82E between CR80C and CR67J are on standby alert. The fire is ¼ mile from the nearest structures. Between 100 and 125 firefighters are on scene. Weather will be a factor in fighting the blaze today. Conditions similar to Monday are expected.

Updated 8 p.m.

The fire is now estimated to be over 200 acres and 0% contained. It continues to burn in grass and ponderosa pine. Structure protection has been the main emphasis in battling the blaze today. One structure has been destroyed but it is not known what that entails. 65 people are fighting the fire as of 8 o’clock. This includes 12 fire engines. 13 homes in the Boxer Ranch subdivision along Boxer Ranch road have been evacuated. Another 53 homes remain on alert to evacuate if necessary. This is the last update that will be provided for the night.

Update 5 p.m.

Fire is now at 80 to 100 acres.

The Larimer County Sheriff reports that one structure has been destroyed.

A Type III Team is being assembled for over all incident management on this fire. The Incident Command Post will be established this evening at the Livermore Elementary School. Three more engines have just been ordered to the staging area at Co. Rd. 80C and  82E.

Larimer Humane Society is offering temporary shelters for dogs, cats and small mammals for those affected or displaced by the  fire. Horses and cattle can be taken to the west barn at The Ranch located directly adjacent to I-25, just north of Highway 34, in Loveland, Colorado.

Update 3:57 p.m.

13 homes have been evacuated in the Boxer Ranch Subdivision. The evacuation center is the Livermore Community Hall located at 1985 West CR74E, approximately one and half miles west of the Forks.

Pre-evacuation notices remain in place for residents north and south of CR82E from CR80C and CR67J including Cherokee Meadows Road.

The Larimer Sheriff reports that the emphasis at this time is structure protection.  The fire is burning in grass and ponderosa pine

Update 3:24 p.m. Via the Larimer Sheriff on Twitter

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The fire is near the intersection of County Road 82E and Boxer Ranch Road, southwest of Halligan Reservoir.

66 homes 3 businesses in the area north and south of CR82E between CR80C and CR67J including Cherokee Meadows Road were notified to be prepared to evacuate if needed.

County officials report that the Livermore Community Center is open for those needing a place to gather, or for those who wish to evacuate as a precaution.

The county is using a single engine air tanker (SEAT), a helicopter and fire crews so far to fight the blaze.