Boulder Lifts All NCAR Fire Evacuations at 5 p.m.

The City of Boulder lifted all evacuation notices for the NCAR Fire at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. All evacuees may now return to their properties. The interactive map has been updated to reflect lifted evacuations.

With the exception of NCAR Road, all roads in the area are now open. Officials anticipate that NCAR Road will remain closed for several days. On Saturday, several people left vehicles at the NCAR trailhead. Law enforcement officials are now allowing people to retrieve their vehicles by checking in at the closure on NCAR Road.

While it is now safe to return home, people in the area of the fire should remain vigilant. Fire officials do not anticipate fully extinguishing the fire for several days. It is possible that the may city issue new evacuation orders if conditions deteriorate. Continue to follow the Boulder Office of Disaster Management for updates.

Several trails to the north of Skunk Canyon are now re-opened to the public. Trails in the fire area remain closed. Updated information on trail closures is available at OSMPTrails.org. The city will assess any damage to trails and open space over the next several days.

Firefighters made significant gains Sunday, increasing containment to an estimated 35% and keeping the fire to roughly 189 acres. At this time, the fire has resulted in zero injuries, zero damaged properties and zero missing persons. On Sunday, more than 150 firefighters, aided by a helicopter, suppressed the fire, keeping it away from homes in the City of Boulder and Eldorado Springs. The City of Boulder is incredibly grateful to the approximately 30 partner agencies who assisted throughout the fire.

The NCAR Fire started in the afternoon on Saturday, March 26 southwest of Boulder. The cause is currently under investigation, and investigators believe they have identified the origin point.

Smoke from the area may be visible for the next several days. Please do not call 911 to report the fire.