UPDATE: Hewlett Fire Now 45% Contained

Crews prevented another day of spreading, gaining a 45% containment on the Hewlett fire near Fort Collins.

All prior evacuation orders were lifted by Friday evening.

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Forest Service issued a citation to a man who says he accidentally started the fire near Fort Collins.

James Weber faces a $300 fine plus a $25 processing fee. According to investigators, Weber was camping on the Hewlett Gulch trail and used a camp stove.

The stove, which uses alcohol, accidentally started a fire. Weber attempted to stomp out the fire but was unsuccessful. As the fire spread, he fled.

Weber later reported that he started the fire to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. There is no cell service at the location of the origin of the fire. The citation is for “causing timber, trees, slash, brush or grass to burn except as authorized by permit.”

Gov. John Hickenlooper has declared a disaster emergency to allow $3 million of the state’s disaster fund to be spent fighting the fire.

Here is the latest update on the fire from the U.S. Forest service as of 6:30 p.m. Friday:

All evacuations and the Highway 14 road closure will be lifted as of 7 p.m. Friday. Everyone is reminded that there is still firefighters and firefighting equipment in the area. Drive slowly; watch out.

The Hewlett Fire was reported Monday afternoon 5/14/12 on the Canyon Lakes Ranger District of the Roosevelt National Forest. The fire is located approximately 20 miles northwest of Fort Collins, 10 miles west of the junction of Hwy 14 and Hwy 287 near the Hewlett Gulch Trail in the Poudre Canyon.

Influences of terrain and shifting winds created conditions, causing the Hewlett Fire to grow substantially Wednesday. It continued to grow Thursday, bringing the estimated acres burned to 7,673 acres.

Friday, firefighters made good progress bringing containment to 45% with no fire spread.

There are 522 personnel working the fire assisted again by air resources, including more ordered.