Fire crews knock down wildfire that prompted evacuations in northern Colorado

Fire crews are extinguishing hot spots on a wildfire in northern Colorado that prompted evacuations early Wednesday for people living near Carter Lake in Larimer County.

The Cougar Run fire was estimated at about 3 1/2 acres at about 8:30 a.m., down from an earlier estimate of 10 acres, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. The cause for the fire, which is burning on state land, remains unknown. 

The mandatory evacuation remained in effect as crews continue to work but were lifted at about 10:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office said.

Voluntary evacuations were also being urged for residents in the area of Blue Mountain and Spring Valley, west of Carter Lake, the agency said. 

Crews from the sheriff’s office, the state’s fire division and Berthoud and Loveland fire departments are on scene, the sheriff’s office said. A helicopter was ordered. 

Fire restrictions are in effect for areas below 9,000 feet in unincorporated parts of Larimer County, barring uncontained open fires and smoking in open areas, such as trails and open spaces. 

“Elevated to critical fire weather” is expected across the lower Front Range foothills and Interstate 25 corridor Wednesday due to warm, dry and breezy conditions, according to the National Weather Service.  Moisture is expected to lower fire risk starting Thursday and through the weekend, with daily chances of showers and thunderstorms, the service said.

A separate fire that sparked northwest of Boulder grew to about 2 acres before crews stopped its progress earlier Wednesday. An evacuation warning was issued for the Goat Trail fire just before 4 a.m.