Storm Mountain Structure Fire

Justin King Photo / Loveland Fire Rescue Authority

At 17:03 on March 25th, 2013 Loveland Emergency Communications Center (LECC) received multiple 911 calls of a structure fire in the vicinity of Spruce Mountain Dr. near Storm Mountain. Exact address was unknown but parties reported seeing flames shooting from a home in the 1200 block through the trees. The first arriving apparatus was Canyon Tender 8 with Canyon Chief 1 on board at 17:34. Canyon Chief 1 established command announcing a fully involved 2-story structure in defensive operations. The road conditions to access this address were extreme (snow packed and icy), with the primary problem area being Storm Mountain access road from County Rd. 43. A number of resources were requested for the structure fire but only a few were able to access it. Loveland Engine 3, Squad 2, Engine 213, Tender 1, Canyon Rescue 88, and Estes Valley were not able to access the fire, even with tire chains, due to the icy roads leading up the mountain; however Loveland Tender 5, Battalion 1, FIT 6, Glen Haven Engine 41, and Canyon Engine 294 were able to get to the fire. 2800 Gallons of water were initially put on the fire, but because a sustained water source could not be found, and a tanker shuttle was complicated due to the road conditions, it was decided to keep the remaining 2800 gallons of water available for exposure protection and to let the fire burn itself out. Loveland Fire resources were released at approximately 20:00 and Big Thompson Canyon resources stayed on the fire overnight. The fire was turned over to a Larimer County Sheriff Investigator around 10:00 the next morning. Additional information provided by Justin King / Loveland Fire Rescue Authority

Departments on Scene: Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Big Thompson Canyon Fire Department, Glen Haven Area Volunteer Fire Department, Estes Valley Fire Protection District, Larimer County Sheriff & Thompson Valley EMS