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Recent rain helps Buffalo Mountain Fire reach 95 percent containment

The Buffalo Mountain Fire was first reported last Tuesday, and it immediately forced mandatory evacuations of more than 1,300 homes and pre-evacuation orders for others.
Credit: Jordan Chavez, KUSA-TV
Jordan Chavez, KUSA-TV

An 81-acre fire burning near Silverthorne is now 95 percent contained nearly a week after it first broke out.

The Buffalo Mountain Fire was first reported last Tuesday around noon, and it immediately forced mandatory evacuations of more than 1,300 homes and pre-evacuation orders for others.

The area received rain on Saturday night and Sunday morning, which fire officials with the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit say helped to cool smoldering hot spots within the fire perimeter.

Buffalo Mountain Fire | Mandatory evacuation orders lifted in Summit County

As of Sunday, crews are patrolling the fire area and mopping-up by extinguishing any smoldering hot spots along the perimeter.

Credit: Nelson Garcia

"Fire behavior continues to be minimal with the potential for occasional smoldering and smoking from the interior of the fire for several more days," a release from the Upper Colorado River Fire Management Unit read.

The wildfire, which started near the Mesa Cortina and the Buffalo Mountain trailheads, is in an area of heavy timber. At one point, sparks and embers were within 250 feet of structures. No homes have been lost in the fire.

The day after the fire broke out, Incident Commander Jeff Berino said the fire was definitely human-caused.

The Buffalo Mountain trail, Royal Buffalo trail, Buffalo Cabin trail, Buffalo-Willow Connect trail, the Pasque trail and all other trails or access points that enter the fire area remain closed for public safety.

Now open trails include: North Ten Mile trail, Meadow Creek trail, Lily Pad trail, Gore Range (north Ten Mile to the junction of north Willowbrook trail), Salt Lick trail system, Mesa Cortina trail system, Willowbrook trail system, and the area of Red Buffalo Pass.

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