Firefighters battling the Fern Lake Fire are working to keep it within the boundaries of Rocky Mountain National Park. The fire has charred 3,750 acres, or roughly six square miles, and is currently 40 percent contained.
Calmer winds and cooler temperatures helped firefighters make progress Monday, although hundreds of residents are still out of their homes or on pre-evacuation alert status.
John Shulz with the Larimer County Sheriff’s office tellsthe Coloradoan fire managers are evaluating plans on an ongoing basis.
They have announced tentative plans to allow some evacuated residents to return home Wednesday morning.
Officials hope to open the Highway 66 evacuation area from Highway 36 up to and including Aspen Brook Drive, as well as Highway 36 to the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center. That area would be placed on pre-evacuation status.
Fire managers caution these plans could change based on weather conditions and current fire behavior.
Fern Lake Fire by the numbers:
- Percent Contained: 40%
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Structures threatened: 1,000
- Structures lost: 1
- Injuries to Date: None
- Cost to Date: $1.9 million
- Number of Personnel: 250
- Crews: 3
- Engines: 42
- Water Tenders: 11
- Helicopters: 3
