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Alexander Mountain Fire determined to be human-caused

Hannah Parcells, Content Managing Editor

August 9, 2024

Collegian | Hannah Parcells

Smoke and from the Alexander Mountain Fire can be seen over the ridge in the residential area just east of the fire off of U.S. Highway 34 July 30.

Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing story. Updates will be provided as they become available.

The ongoing investigation into the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer county determined the fire was human-caused, according to investigators with the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Forest Service Friday, August 9.

The fire was first reported Monday, July 29 in the region west of Loveland and north of U.S. Highway 34 and has burned 9,668 acres in the nearly two weeks since it sparked. The fire is now at 91% containment, said the USFS, and the focus of officials has shifted to recovery and community support in the areas impacted by the fire.

The Larimer County Assessor’s Office reported that a total of 52 structures were damaged or destroyed in the fire. This includes 27 homes and 21 outbuilding destroyed, as well as 4 homes damaged.

The LCSO and USFS launched an investigation into the cause of the fire as first responders worked on containment. The investigation is ongoing and officials are asking anyone with information to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at 303-275-5266.

Photos, videos and typed statements can also be uploaded online.

Reach Hannah Parcells at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @hannahparcells.

About the Contributor

Hannah Parcells, Content Managing Editor

Hannah Parcells is incredibly proud to step into the role of content managing editor at The Collegian for the 2024-25 school year. Parcells is currently pursuing two degrees: a Bachelor of Science in psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a concentration in global politics. Stubborn, opinionated and endlessly curious, Parcells has always been passionate about understanding and helping other people, and she hopes to use her education to leave the world a little better than she found it. Born into an Air Force family, Parcells spent her youth exploring the Great Plains and developed a deep love of all things nature. When she wasn’t exploring the world at her fingertips, Parcells often had her nose stuck in a book, which is how she discovered her love of science, history and, above all, a good story. Parcells stumbled headfirst into The Collegian in fall 2023 as a reporter when she transferred to Colorado State University and a friend recommended it due to her passion for writing. She fell in love with chasing down stories and became the news editor at the end of her first semester. Parcells strongly believes in the power of information and is committed to upholding The Collegian’s long history of honest reporting and encouraging readers to get out and explore the world around them. On the off chance she’s not buried in textbooks, research papers or policy analyses, Parcells can be found on a hike, listening to music or at any local bookstore or coffee shop, feeding her ongoing addiction to both caffeine and good books.

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