Full Containment On High Park Fire Expected This Weekend

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (CBS4)- Full containment of the High Park Fire is expected this weekend, possibly as early as Saturday night, as fire crews make progress on the fire burning west of Fort Collins.

That's far earlier than expected.

Crews did discover two additional homes burned bringing the total number of homes destroyed in the fire to 259. Unfortunately that number is expected to increase as fire crews search previously off-limits areas.

About 1,900 people were allowed to return to their homes in Rist Canyon Thursday evening. Some found their homes intact others discovered the devastation the fire left in its wake.

All but 350-400 evacuees have been allowed to return home. All of the pre-evacuation notices for the fire were lifted Friday.

The lifting of the pre-evacuation status applies primarily to residents who have recently been allowed back into their subdivisions, and were told to consider themselves as being on a "pre-evac" status. Notices were also lifted in the Bellvue, Soldier Canyon, Mill Canyon, Shoreline Drive, and County Road 27 areas.

The following full evacuations remain in effect:
- Areas accessed from Pingree Park Road (CR63E)
- Areas accessed from Old Flowers Road (CR52E) west of the 8000 block
- Areas accessed from Buckhorn Road (CR44H)
- Areas accessed from Hwy 14 between Mishiwaka and Eggers

The fire has burned 87,284 acres since it was started by lightning on June 9.