Front Range wildfires damage property, with more structures threatened

The wildfires ravaging the Front Range are starting to creep into residential areas, with new damage to multiple homes reported Thursday afternoon.

The big picture: At least 24 structures were scorched by the Alexander Mountain fire west of Loveland, Larimer County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Thursday.

• It's the first reported property damage from the wildfire that's grown to more than 8,100 acres and is only 5% contained.
• The damaged structures are in the Palisade Mountain Drive and Snow Top Drive areas.

Meanwhile, the 450-acre Quarry Fire in Jefferson County that prompted the evacuations of 575 homes was 0% contained.

• And in Boulder County, the Stone Canyon Fire had burned 1,553 acres with 30% containment .

Threat level: The closest structure to the Quarry Fire is roughly a quarter-mile away, Jefferson County Sheriff's spokesperson Mark Techmeyer said at a press conference Thursday.

• He declined to describe the structure or its specific location. No structures have been destroyed by the Quarry Fire.

By the numbers: 155 firefighters — up from the 75 onsite Wednesday — are focusing on containment in Jefferson County, along with 23 fire apparatus, three helicopters and two airplanes.

Zoom in: Residents Connie Anest and Bruce West were evacuated from Murphy Gulch subdivision in Jefferson County overnight Tuesday. The couple decided Thursday to stay at an emergency center at Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton.

• The couple, who have lived in the area for 30 years, tell us it's the first time they've been evacuated due to a wildfire. In the past, West says they have canceled or cut vacations short due to fire danger, but it never materialized.
• They spent Wednesday night in their car, but were planning on staying inside the emergency center after their two dogs, Linus and Maggie, were allowed in.

Between the lines: Officials say five firefighters were injured Wednesday battling the Quarry Fire, but all are recovering.

• Four suffered from heat exhaustion, and one had a seizure, Techmeyer said Thursday.

What's next: Friday's projected weather, with highs in the upper 90s, will do little to abate the flames, with officials not counting on rain anytime soon.

• "We don't need Mother Nature to come here [and] save us because the chances of that happening are pretty slim," Techmeyer said Thursday afternoon.