This is a developing story. It was last updated Oct. 8 with information from the U.S. Forest Service’s Oct. 7 evening update.
The Dry Creek Fire west of Lyons is now 85% contained, according to a Wednesday evening update from the U.S. Forest Service. Crews have made progress securing the perimeter of the roughly 6-acre fire, though firefighting operations are expected to continue throughout the week amid warm, dry conditions.
Some portions of the fire are in steep, hazardous terrain that crews cannot safely access. Smoke and isolated flames may remain visible in those areas until weather conditions improve and help extinguish remaining hot spots, the Forest Service said.
Containment increased from 25% Tuesday afternoon to 50% Wednesday morning and 85% by 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. Firefighters have been using hose lines to support mop-up operations and removing hazardous trees to improve crew safety.
Boulder County officials lifted all evacuation warnings related to the Dry Creek Fire at 4:37 p.m. Tuesday, saying people in the affected areas could return to normal activities. No evacuation orders had been issued during the fire. The City of Longmont has closed the nearby Button Rock Preserve to protect visitors.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office had issued evacuation warnings earlier Tuesday between Allenspark and Hall Ranch due to the vegetation fire near the Dry St. Vrain Creek Trail.
Known as the Dry Creek Fire, it is around 6 acres, according to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. Forward progress has been stopped, and the fire is 25% contained, with line established around the fire. Crews are working to get hose fully in place to support containment efforts, according to the Forest Service.
Approximately 100 fire personnel are on scene. Crews have received aircraft support, including a large air tanker that dropped retardant on the fire. Despite rugged terrain, humidity and wind conditions have been favorable, and firefighters have continued to make progress, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
No evacuation orders have been issued.
Earlier Tuesday, Incident Command reported that the fire had two flanks and that hand crews had anchored at the head of the fire, with no additional fire progression there. A Type 1 and Type 2 helicopter were also on scene, according to Watch Duty’s flight tracker. Two single-engine air tankers were en route as of 10:27 a.m.
The first evacuation warning was issued at 9:12 a.m., east of Allenspark, on U.S. Forest Service lands between South Sheep Mountain and Coffin Top Mountain. At 10:18 a.m., the warning area was expanded east to Hall Ranch, just west of Lyons. The warnings were lifted at 4:37 p.m.
People traveling on South St. Vrain Drive (Hwy. 7) east of Allenspark are being asked to drive with caution because fire crews and equipment are entering the roadway, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office.
An evacuation warning is more serious than an advisory but less urgent than an evacuation order. People in the area are encouraged to prepare to evacuate by gathering necessary items and arranging transportation. Residents who have mobility issues, need to evacuate with large animals, or otherwise need more time to evacuate are encouraged to leave immediately. Residents and visitors can sign up for Boulder County emergency alerts at BOCOalert.org.
The fire comes just after one of the hottest October days in the Denver metro area, according to BoulderCAST. Temperatures in Boulder reached 90, while Jamestown reached 79 and Allenspark 71. The record for Boulder’s latest 90-degree day was Oct. 5, set in 1947.
Firefighters, already dealing with burnout, have begun gearing up for another wave of fire activity as winds typically pick up during the fall. The lack of snow cover can compound fire risk as winds strengthen. Summer monsoon rains increased cloud cover and humidity, helping ease wildfire conditions.
The Town of Lyons previously had to evacuate during the Stone Canyon Fire in the summer of 2024, which burned around 1,550 acres, destroyed five homes and killed one person.
