Galena Fire 75 percent contained, wind concerns still prevalent

Galena Fire flares up at night. March 15, 2013

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Three days after ballooning to over 1,000 acres, officials are calling the Galena Fire 75 percent contained. But wind concerns tempered some of the enthusiasm as firefighters begin mop-up duty Monday.

“Winds will still be a big factor today, and will cause increased smoke in the interior of the fire,” Larimer County Sheriff spokesperson John Schulz said. “Pre-evacuation notices remain in effect today due to those concerns.”

Schulz estimated the fire has now spread to 1,348 acres. In spite of the concern over the winds, Schulz said containment levels were expected to rise above 75 percent Monday.

The investigation into the cause of the fire is close to being complete, Schulz said. While investigators have determined the fire was human-caused, Schulz said it was not caused by a campfire or a controlled burn.

The blze erupted Friday near the Lory State Park on the northwest side of Horsetooth Reservoir, and was fueled by high winds. Mandatory evacuation orders were issued Friday afternoon when it was apparent the fire was threatening more than 50 homes. Additional evacuation notices were issued for residents south of the fire.

Those evacuations were lifted Saturday night, but all of those residents were still on pre-evacuation notice Monday.