This is a developing story and was last updated at 6:30 a.m.
Emergency officials issued a Level 3 “Go” evacuation order early Thursday morning due to a structure fire at the Caribou Village Shopping Center in downtown Nederland. The order went out at 3:28 a.m., according to Boulder County emergency alerts.
Residents were instructed to evacuate from the areas between Peak to Peak and Peakview and Peak to Peak and Bridge, west to Highway 119 and Hurricane Hill, as well as south of 119 between Bridge and Hurricane Hill.
Early Thursday morning, a Boulder County deputy noticed a fire at a building at the Caribou Village Shopping Center, according to the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office, 9News reported. As a precaution, the Sheriff’s Office issued an evacuation order for surrounding areas, according to 9News.
By 6 a.m., the fire had been “knocked down substantially,” according to Vinnie Montez, public information officer for the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office. Montez said fire crews and sheriff’s deputies remain on scene, and the blaze appears to be contained to the area around the Caribou Village Shopping Center at 20 Lakeview Drive. The incident is being referred to as the Lakeview Fire.
Several road closures remain in place, including:
- A hard closure at Big Springs and Highway 119 (Bridge Street) — no eastbound traffic on Big Springs from 119.
- A closure at 119 and Lakeview — no eastbound traffic on Lakeview from 119.
- On the east side of the fire, no westbound traffic on Lakeview or Big Springs from Conger.
Officials urged the public to avoid the area as firefighters continue efforts to ensure the fire does not spread.
The evacuation order remains in effect for areas south of Barker Reservoir, with details and maps available at BOCO911Alert.org.
As of early Thursday morning, the cause of the fire was not yet known. Photos and videos of flames and heavy smoke near the Caribou Village Shopping Center began circulating on social media early Thursday.
Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at BOCOAlert.org by creating an account, verifying their address and selecting up to five locations to receive text, call or email notifications.
You can also follow fire updates on the Watch Duty app for real-time incident information.
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