A 371-acre wildfire burning through shrubs and grass on Colorado’s northern Front Range between Loveland and Fort Collins was smoldering Sunday night, still spewing smoke after aggressive suppression over the weekend.
Larimer County authorities declared this Spring Glade wildfire 95 percent contained. Firefighters on Sunday dropped three loads of water and fire-retardant slurry on the fire, two from a helicopter and one from a single-engine air tanker.
Two other wildfires were burning in the area, Larimer County spokesman Jered Kramer said. “Resources were stretched.”
Firefighters from Boulder County and the U.S. Forest Service helped squelch flames and planned to return Monday morning. “Smoke will continue to be visible from this fire – even after containment is completed,” Kramer said.
The fire broke out Saturday – sheriff’s deputies are investigating the cause – spreading across 350 acres, fueled by gusty winds. Flames forced evacuations of dozens of homes and the Coyote Ridge natural area. Firefighters battled flames in shrubs and grasslands southwest of Fort Collins.