Fires in Boulder County destroy homes and force evacuations

(KRDO) -- Two fires in boulder county continue to grow and threaten homes. In total 26 structures have been damaged and numerous people have had to be evacuated. After breaking out Saturday, the Calwood Fire has already burned more than 8,788 acres and damaged at least two dozen buildings.

More than 450 firefighters are currently on scene trying to get control of that fire but the rugged terrain has made it tough.

Mike Wagner, Division Chief with Boulder Sheriff's Office said, "It's still too active of a fire scene, and it's still too dynamic to get in and even begin to assess where those homes may have been damaged or lost."

However, there was good news from the Boulder County Sheriff's Office Sunday, no new structures burned.

Also burning in Boulder County, the Lefthand Canyon Fire which currently sits at just over 300 acres.

This fire causing the entire town of Ward to evacuate. Many of those evacuees are taking shelter inside the Nederland Community Center. Elliot Larson, his wife, and their four-month-old daughter left their house south of ward yesterday, they've talked about planning for something like this but Larson admits they weren't entirely ready.

"It'll probably take some time to set in, I guess right now just anticipation of either getting back home and having time to think about this or eventually going back home to a changed property and changed home," said Larson.

El Paso County is under stage two fire restrictions, which means no camp fires, bonfires or fireworks. If you're caught violating the fire restriction you could face a $1,000 fine.

Lt. Mitch Rowley with CSFD said, “We are not getting the moisture that we are normally seeing this time of year so our fire season though seemingly would be ending right now, it’s not even close.”