U.S. Forest Service takes command of Pearl fire
The 130-acre fire originated on private property and was likely human-caused, police say
The U.S. Forest Service assumed command of the Pearl Fire raging in western Larimer County, sitting at 138 acres with 0% containment as of Monday evening.
The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office began receiving reports of smoke around 11 a.m. Monday in the Crystal Lakes area, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office. The Crystal Lakes Fire Protection District and Red Feather Lakes Fire Protection District located a fire around five miles northwest of Red Feather Lakes.
The LCSO Emergency Services initially took command of the fire and ordered help from surrounding departments: 75 personnel, fixed-wing air tankers and helicopters worked on the fire Monday. More resources have been ordered for Tuesday, the sheriff’s office said.
The Forest Service officially took command of the fire at 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, but have not yet provided an update on the current status of the fire.
The fire started on private property and is believed to be human-caused, according to the sheriff’s office.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for Crystal Lake, south of Black Mountain and north of Lake Erie, and initially voluntary evacuations were ordered for north of Black Mountain to the Colorado/Wyoming state line.
An overnight evacuation center is located at Cache la Poudre Middle School, 3515 Co Rd 54G, Laporte. The NOCO Humane is handling small pets displaced by the evacuations and a large animal evacuation center has been established at The Ranch in Loveland.
On Tuesday afternoon, some mandatory evacuation areas were lifted to voluntary evacuation north of County Road 80C to the state line.
As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the area around Lake Erie and Mitchell Ditch and north of Black Mountain to the Wyoming state line are under voluntary evacuations while Crystal Lakes, south of Black Mountain and north of Lake Erie are under mandatory evacuation.
The area near Highway 14 (Poudre Canyon Road) on the south side of Black Mountain and west toward County Road 103 are also under mandatory evacuation.
Governor Jared Polis officially declared a disaster emergency Monday regarding the fire.
The declaration allows the Colorado Department of Public Safety, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Division of Fire Prevention and Control to assist in the response and recovery efforts. The declaration also authorizes the National Guard to assist if deemed necessary by the Department of Public Safety.
“Larimer County is no stranger to wildfires. I’m grateful for the rapid response by our many regional partners working together seamlessly to protect this community,” Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said in the Monday release. “Fire can create uncertainty, especially for those with homes or property in the evacuation zones. Our hearts are with you tonight.”
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