Authorities are “taking a hard look” at rugged hill country and canyons northwest of Boulder to see if they can prevent repeated wildfires there.
The Maxwell fire broke out and has burned 60 acres, as crews continue to battle the blaze, which is at 80 percent containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire is the third in the area this year. Last September the Fourmile Canyon fire to the south burned 6,200 acres and 160 homes and cost $200 million to fight.
The causes have been varied. The Lefthand Canyon fire in March consumed 822 acres and was likely caused by gunfire. The Fourmile Canyon fire started with an unattended home fire pit.
Today the U.S. Forest Service said the Maxwell fire likely started from an abandoned campfire on public land north of Lefthand Canyon Drive.
“Agency officials are considering options for changes in area management keeping weather, available resources and public safety in mind,” the Forest Service said in an update this afternoon.
There was no fire ban in place where the fires broke out in the 4000 block of Lefthand Canyon Drive, near a makeshift shooting range and an off-road vehicle area.
The campfire would not be illegal, except for the fact it was not safely extinguished, Forest Service spokeswoman Elsha Kirby told the Boulder Daily Camera today.
About 300 area residents have been on notice since Sunday night that they might have to evacuate, because of the Maxwell fire.
The Forest Service estimated this afternoon that the fire should be fully contained by 10 p.m. Wednesday.
Up to 200 firefighters from at least 14 agencies have fought the most recent fire.
Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com
