A wildfire sparked by lightning that’s burned 227 acres in northern Colorado since Monday saw little growth overnight.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday, officials with the Larimer County Sheriff’s office say the fire is 45 percent contained.
The Stuart Hole fire has caused minor damage to two or three outbuildings, but no residential homes have been affected.
The U.S. Forest Service Roosevelt Hotshots have arrived to fight the fire as well as the Canon City Crew made up of inmate workers.
Evacuations for 13 homes in the Boxer Ranch subdivision along Boxer Ranch Road were scheduled to be lifted at 6 p.m.
More than 50 homes north and south of CR82E between CR80C and CR67J are still on alert and should be prepared to evacuate if needed. The evacuation center is located at the Livermore Community Hall at 1985 West CR74E.
Officials with the Larimer County Sheriff’s office say firefighters will continue to utilize the type 3 helicopter and a single engine air tanker to fight the fire from the air. A type 1 helicopter arrived Tuesday afternoon to aid in the effort. On the ground about 100 firefighters are battling the blaze.
According to Larimer County officials, winds were expected to reach 30 to 40 mph this afternoon.
Three North Metro Fire Rescue personnel and a reserve wildland vehicle were requested Monday by the Fort Collins Interagency Wildfire Dispatch Center to assist in the Stuart Hole Fire.
The fire, , is in the vicinity of the Halligan Reservoir, near where the Hewlett fire burned 7,685 acres over eight days last month. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
Earlier Monday, the Larimer County commission extended a two-month-old ban on open fires, which was due to expire June 15, according to the Loveland Reporter Herald.
Residents can obtain the latest information by calling the Larimer County Emergency line at 970-498-5500 or by following .
Updates are also available on www.larimersheriff.org as well as www.larimer.org/emergency
Kurtis Lee: 303-954-1655 or klee@denverpost.com
