Wildfire near Chautauqua Park in Boulder is 50% contained as dozens of firefighters descend on scene
BOULDER — More than 100 firefighters quickly descended on a wildfire that started Saturday in the area of Chautauqua Park, and smoke could be seen along the Flatirons in southwestern Boulder.
As of 3:45 p.m., the BlueBell fire had burned about 1.5 acres and was 50% contained and all evacuations have been lifted, Boulder Fire and Rescue Chief Michael Calderazzo said during a news conference.
He said hundreds of hikers had to be evacuated from Chautauqua Park and the surrounding Boulder County Open Space area, but no injuries were reported.
“There were hundreds of people on the trails when this fire came in, and all those people were safely brought down,” he said.
The cause of the Bluebell fire is currently under investigation by the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department, Calderazzo said.
The fire was first reported at 12:45 p.m. near the Bluebell Mesa Trail. Within hours, more than 100 firefighters from nine agencies responded to the incident. Additionally, the state’s $26 million Firehawk helicopter was deployed. Calderazzo said the helicopter made seven water drops, each about 560 gallons. It remains on standby.
Those drops “were a huge help in slowing the spread of the fire,” he said.
Emergency officials lifted an evacuation warning for the Chautauqua Cottages area. All trails at Chautauqua Park, Green Mountain and Enchanted Mesa will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Fire conditions are high with temperatures in the mid-60s and strong winds. Parts of northern Colorado are under a red flag warning, but Boulder County is not listed in the area under warning.
On Thursday, a grass fire in Thornton burned 10 acres and shutdown Interstate 25 as the fire moved quickly pushed by high winds. A school and several businesses were also evacuated. No injuries were reported, but more than 100 cars were burned behind a nearby business.
This is a developing story that will be updated.