Breaking News: Larimer County issues evacuation orders for wildfire in Estes Park

Update 4:30 p.m.: There are currently 150 personnel working to contain the Kruger Rock Fire, which was approximately 115 acres as of 3 p.m., with 11% containment. More personnel have been requested by LCSO.

LifeBridge Church, 10345 Ute Highway, is open for evacuees that require overnight shelter.

Larimer County has updated the Kruger Rock fire information with a list of assisting agencies, available on the Kruger Rock website through Larimer County's website.

Update 2:00 p.m.: Larimer County Sheriff's Office has expanded mandatory evacuations for the Kruger rock Fire from Pole Hill Road to the Panorama Peak area east of Highway 36 due to immediate and imminent danger. LCSO recommends immediate evacuation for residents and businesses.

Evacuation sites include 1125 Rooftop Way in Estes Park and LifeBridge Church, 10345 Ute Highway in Longmont. Small animals may be evacuated to Larimer Humane Society, 3501 East 71st Street in Loveland, while large animals may be evacuated to The Ranch, 5280 Arena Circle in Loveland.

The YMCA of the Rockies, 2515 Tunnel Road in Estes Park, is available for fire evacuees in need of overnight shelter as well as small pets. No reservations are required, according to LCSO.

Update 12:00 p.m.: The Boulder Office of Emergency Management issued a warning this morning that wildfire smoke from the Kruger Rock fire will be visible in parts of Boulder County. Boulder County has also issued a Red Flag Warning due to high winds and low humidity. No open burning is allowed and the county recommends avoiding outdoor activities that may cause sparks.

Colorado State Patrol has closed Highway 36 at Mall Road in Estes Park and at Apple Valley Road west of Lyons for emergency operations related to the fire.

The LCSO Joint Information Center is open for up-to-date information. The JIC can be reached at 970-980-2500.

Update 11:17 a.m.: The city of Longmont announced the closure of Button Rock preserve due to the Kruger Rock fire. According to information provided by Assistant City Manager Sandi Seader, the city is excerising an abundance of caution. While the Kruger Rock Fire is still approximately ten miles from the preserve, the voluntary evacuation zone is within two miles of Ralph Price Reservoir. Longmont city staff will continue to monitor the situation.

Original Article:

At approximately 7 a.m., Estes Park emergency responders were called to a fire in the Kruger Rock area on the eastern side of the Estes Park Valley. 

The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, or LCSO, is in control of the scene and has established an evacuation site at the Estes Park Event Center. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. LCSO has requested more resources to help contain the wildfire.

As of 9:50 a.m., the LCSO announced on Twitter that the fire has expanded to 75 acres, increased from 20 acres from an earlier report. LCSO reports that structures have been threatened but none have been damaged so far.

Larimer County is continuously updating through social media, the county website and NoCO Alert. Evacuations are underway in Estes Park for the areas of Meadowdale, Hermit Park, Fish Creek and Little Valley, with voluntary evacuations now extending to residents near Highway 36 from mile marker 9 south to the Boulder County Line.

The National Weather Service reports winds in the Estes Park Valley reaching up to 30 mph from a westerly direction, with gusts as high as 46 mph. 

For updates on evacuation, LCSO recommends texting LCEVAC to 888777 from a cell phone. LCSO has also asked that travellers avoid Highways 36 and 34 heading into Estes Park to ease access for emergency vehicles.

This is an ongoing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.