Human Remains Found in House Destroyed by Colorado's Stone Canyon Fire
This marked the first death reported as a result of the Stone Canyon Fire, which remains only 20% contained as of the morning of Aug. 1
Authorities in Colorado confirmed there's now been one fatality as a result of a wildfire that has burned more than 1,500 acres as of Aug. 1.
The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said that on Wednesday, July 31, human remains were discovered in a home destroyed by the Stone Canyon Fire burning near the town of Lyons in Boulder County, per the Associated Press, the Colorado Sun and Colorado Public Radio.
"We did also today discover human remains in one of the residences,” Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said at a Wednesday morning news conference, CBS affiliate KCNC reported.
“So I can confirm for you that we do have one fatality associated with this fire," he added. "I'm not going to provide any more details because that's an active investigation that our detectives along with fire investigators will be conducting throughout the day.”
PEOPLE contacted the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office for additional information.
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In a Thursday morning update, Boulder Disaster Management said the Stone Canyon Fire has covered an estimated 1,548 acres with little growth during the overnight.
“There is 20% containment along the southeast corner.” per the update. “Crews will continue to work on securing the fire perimeter.”
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“We anticipate less air support today as it will be assigned to other fires that still experiencing growth, unlike the Stone Canyon Fire which has had little growth,” Boulder Disaster Management added.
The agency further said that a damage assessment team “will continue to be in the area assessing impacts” while the weather forecast “continues to be hot and dry.”
As Fox affiliate KDVR reported, the Stone Canyon Fire started on Tuesday, July 30, in an area north of Lyons. The outlet added that four firefighters were injured, while the Boulder Daily Camera reported that five structures were destroyed. The cause of the fire has not yet been publicly disclosed and authorities have asked the public to share any information they might have on how it may have started.
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The Stone Canyon blaze is one of four wildfires along Colorado’s Front Range, including Boulder County’s Lake Shore Fire, Jefferson County’s Quarry Fire, and Larimer County’s Alexander Mountain Fire, the Denver Post reported.
On July 31, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis authorized members of the Colorado National Guard to help in combatting the wildfires.
“Our brave first responders are working around the clock to fight the fires across the Front Range and Western Slope to protect Coloradans, our communities, property, and lands,” Polis said in a statement. “The state is providing major support to help manage and contain these fires as quickly as possible and following my authorization, the National Guard is assisting where needed. My thoughts are with the families evacuated, displaced, and impacted by these terrifying fires.”
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