Emergency Evacuations Ordered as Alexander Mountain Fire Grows

In Northern Colorado, residents near Big Thompson Canyon in Larimer County are facing mandatory evacuations due to a wildfire called the Alexander Mountain Fire, which has spread across approximately 950 acres as of Monday evening. The fire remains uncontrollable as authorities work to safeguard the community.

The smoke from the fire was so thick that it could be seen from as far away as Fort Collins and Boulder, creating a sense of urgency for those living in the area. Incident commander Justin Whitesell, who is the emergency operations director for the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, stated that getting people to safety is their top priority.

Whitesell explained, “Our focus is on getting people out of the way of the fire, making sure that they are safe. Then we’re preparing for the fire to come to structures — if it does.” The evacuation zone includes both sides of Highway 34 through Big Thompson Canyon, stretching from the town of Drake to the Dam Store just outside of Loveland.

The northern evacuation area extends toward Glen Haven, while the southern area includes Pinewood Reservoir but not Carter Lake. There are also voluntary evacuations in certain areas like Waltonia Road and Eden Valley, where officials are implementing a large evacuation box around the fire.

Motorists are being advised to stay clear of Highway 34, which is currently closed in both directions. The American Red Cross has set up an overnight evacuation center at Foundations Church in Loveland, with another location at the Estes Park Events Complex available for evacuees as well.

Animals in need of refuge can be taken to The Ranch in Loveland. Fire crews from the U.S. Forest Service and Loveland Fire Rescue are on-site battling the blaze, and aircraft have been called in to help suppress the flames. Water for some of the air drops is being sourced from the nearby Horsetooth Reservoir, which is closed to recreational activities until further notice.

Linda Renaud, a local resident near Storm Mountain who is in the mandatory evacuation zone, shared her experience of having to leave. “We can see the fire from the top of our hill — we can see the smoke. It doesn’t appear to be that close to us but it’s hard to judge,” Renaud said.

Having previously evacuated for a fire in 2020, Renaud expressed that she is prepared for a quick exit even if she hadn’t packed everything yet. “I’ve got some friends who can probably put us up,” she added as she organized herself for a hasty departure.