Colorado Wildfire Contained; Evacuations Lifted

BOULDER, Colo. --

Firefighters contained three wildfires in the foothills west of Boulder Saturday afternoon and evacuations were lifted for 160 homes.

Reacting to high-fire conditions, including strong winds expected to gust to 75 mph into the early evening, Sheriff Joe Pelle enacted an emergency ban on outdoor fires until 12 p.m. Sunday.

The most serious fired began about 10 a.m. near a garage at 44 Deer Trail Road and destroyed the garage and a vehicle, said sheriff's Cmdr. Rick Brough. His agency was investigating the cause of the fire.

An evacuated order was issued for more than 160 homes in a 1-mile radius around the fire, he said. The evacuation was lifted about 12:15 p.m. and people were allowed to return to their homes.

Several fire agencies battled the blaze, which was contained by 2 p.m., Brough said. Fire crews remained on scene to monitor hot spots until wind conditions subside.

Heavy Winds Throughout The Afternoon

The same area was hit a year ago by the Fourmile Fire, which burned over 6,000 acres and destroyed 169 structures.

On Saturday afternoon, 7NEWS meteorologist Matt Makens said the area had constant wind speeds of 30 to 40 miles per hour and gusts of up to 60 mph. Makens said the winds would continue to pick up into the evening.

Makens reported that at 10:10 a.m. the wind hit 82 mph at the National Wind Technology Center, which is located almost eight miles south of Boulder.

Two Smaller Fires Snuffed

Brough said that a second wildfire began about 10:55 a.m. in a grassy area in the 3000 block of Four Mile Canyon Road. The fire was about 300 feet in size, and was contained on one side by a road.

Brough said no homes were evacuated because of the fire on Fourmile Canyon Road.

Witnesses said a third fire was started about noon when sparks from a power transformer set a hay bale ablaze near the 4100 block of Ute Highway. The small fire was quickly contained.

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