Boulder – Firefighters have not yet contained a wildfire burning north of Boulder, but they said it was quieting down as evening approached.
The fire is burning on steep, wooded slopes west of Highway 36, near Nelson Road.
The fire has burned within 50 yards of homes in the Foothills Ranch subdivision, but is moving in the other direction. The sheriff’s office initiated a Reverse 911 warning residents to evacuate, in case the wind changes.
People in the Mountain Ridge subdivision and the Lake of the Pines subdivision have been warned that they may have to evacuate. A single-engine air tanker will be making slurry drops on the fire. A large tanker was dispatched from Grand Junction, but it had mechanical problems and had to turn back.
The fire has been moving towards the southwest, the sheriff’s department says.
Evacuated residents are being told to go to the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont.
Smoke from the fire can be seen for miles.
Highway 36 northbound is closed at Nelson Road and southbound at St. Vrain Road to make way for emergency vehicles.
