DENVER — At least five fires were still burning across Colorado on Thursday morning, with one of them expected to be fully contained by Thursday night.
Cold Springs Fire
The Cold Springs Fire near Nederland in Boulder County was 80 percent contained Thursday with full containment expected later in the day.
The remaining evacuees, a little more than 400 from the original 1,991, will be allowed back to their homes by 8 p.m. Thursday, the Boulder Office of Emergency Management said.
Roadblocks will continue at Cold Springs at Peak to Peak Highway, Ridge Road and Thunder Ridge; Ridge Road at Hurricane Hill; and Boulder Canyon at the summer access.
Eight homes and seven outbuildings have been destroyed in the fire, which started Saturday.
Two Alabama men, Jimmy Suggs, 28, and Zackary Kuykendall, 26, are believed to have started the fire by failing to properly extinguish a campfire. They were formally charged with arson on Wednesday.
Beaver Creek Fire
The largest fire in the state is burning north of Walden near the Wyoming border.
The Beaver Creek Fire was at 20,981 acres with 5 percent containment on Thursday morning. Hotter and drier conditions have returned to the area, increasing fire activity.
The fire started June 19 and likely won’t be out until mid-October. The cause is under investigation.
Hayden Pass Fire
The Hayden Pass Fire in Fremont County near Coaldale, between Salida and Canon City, was at 14,000 acres with 0 percent containment.
Evacuees on County Roads 6 and 40, and Fox Creek were told to go to the entrances of their subdivisions on Friday to sign up for two-hour access to their homes on Friday morning.
One summer cabin has been destroyed by the fire, which started Friday after a lightning strike.
“Strong winds, dry conditions and the large volume of dead woody debris in the area contributed to this rapid growth,” the U.S. Forest Service said.
There are more than 440 firefighters battling the blaze.
Black Ridge Fire
The Black Ridge Fire was 15 miles southwest of Durango and reported Wednesday afternoon. It has burned 78 acres and is 20 percent contained. Retardant has been dropped on 80 percent of the fire’s perimeter.
About 50 firefighters are working to contain the blaze with another 20 expected on Thursday. No structures are threatened but pre-evacuation notices remain in place for residents of the Black Ridge area.
Red Table Fire
The Red Table Fire is burning about 1 1/2 miles south of Sylvan Lake State Park in Eagle County. So far, 20 acres have been burned with no containment estimated.
All day-use areas at the park’s lake have been closed after the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon.
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