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LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Poudre Fire began battling a wildfire Thursday afternoon southeast of County Roads 66 and 21, and now, it has been fully contained.

In a tweet posted Saturday afternoon, Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said that thanks to the efforts of fire crews and some favorable weather, the CR21 Fire is now 100% contained.

Command will soon be handed over to the Wellington Fire Protection District.

Officials with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said that the fire calmed down Thursday night into Friday morning after light precipitation helped maintain the impacted area. The fire’s spread was held at 500 to 600 acres and 60 personnel were assigned to battle the fire.

According to the Poudre Fire Authority, the fire began burning northeast of Ted’s Place, a landmark gas station, in Larimer County. Crews are calling the fire the County Road 21 Fire.

Evacuation orders downgraded on Friday

Evacuation orders were downgraded to voluntary and the voluntary evacuation orders were dropped on Friday afternoon.

Officials had ordered mandatory evacuations for the area east of U.S. 287 south to Arapaho Valley Road south to County Road 56, east to County Road 21 and west to U.S. 287. After 9:30 p.m. Thursday, officials downgraded part of two evacuation areas.

“Residents living in the area between County Road 66, south along County Road 21 to County Road 56 and west to County Road 21C have been downgraded to voluntary evacuations,” the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office said. “If you chose to return home, please use caution and watch for fire personnel in the area.”

An overnight shelter was established at the Red Cross at the Leeper Center at 3800 Wilson Avenue, Wellington.

The Ranch was made available to shelter large animals evacuated because of the fire. Evacuees should head to the north entrance and call the non-emergency number (970) 416-1985 to make sure animals are ready to be received.

A map of mandatory evacuations for a Larimer County fire on Sept. 8, 2022. The map is posted here. (Credit: NoCo Alert)

A helicopter and tanker were making drops along the fire lane, Poudre Fire said. Fire officials said around 40 locations were without power as response teams de-energized a power line to keep ground crews safe.

Two fire crews were to remain on the scene overnight. The Sheriff’s Office is set to resume communications at 7 a.m. Friday.

The fire burning north of Fort Collins was being fought by Poudre Fire, Wellington Fire and the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office.