Mandatory evacuations lifted in Colorado for fire burning near Carter Lake in Larimer County

Mandatory evacuations have been lifted in Colorado for the Cougar Run Fire, which was burning near Carter Lake in Larimer County early Wednesday morning. Emergency officials sent out the evacuation order after 6 a.m. and all evacuations were lifted by 10:30 a.m.

Mandatory evacuations were ordered for 679 homes along Larimer County Road 31 south of Carter Lake. That fire burned 3.5 acres.

"First thing I grabbed was my insurance papers when I left the house. It's dry, dry, dry," said evacuated resident Tim Welse. "Luckily, the wind isn't blowing in that direction. The sheriff was up here and the next thing we got a phone call." 

Voluntary Evacuations were ordered for the fire in Berthoud for residents in the area of Blue Mountain and Spring Valley, west of Carter Lake. Residents in that area were asked to gather essential items and prepare for a possible evacuation. 

"You can go home now, we are done," said Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen as he said crews were in the "mop-up" phase.     

According to Larimer County officials, the fire is an estimated 10 acres. A helicopter was ordered to help fight the fire. The fire was 100% contained just hours after it was sparked. 

Several agencies were on the scene of the fire, including the Larimer County Sheriff's Office, Berthoud Fire, Loveland Fire, and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. 

What caused the fire is being investigated.