DRAKE, Colorado – The Larimer County Sheriff’s Office lifted all mandatory evacuations due to the Alexander Mountain Fire on Wednesday, allowing eligible residents to return home to survey the damage left behind.
According to a damage report, the Larimer County assessor found that 51 homes were damaged or destroyed. Walter Shields and his wife Linnie were one of 26 homeowners who lost their homes.
Denver7 spoke with Shields last week after learning he had lost his cabin. At the time, he was not allowed back on the mountain and damage assessments were ongoing. Shields learned of the loss through security cameras he had installed on the property.
“It was disgusting,” Shields said. “I don’t want to watch it over and over again. It’s too hard.”
Shields and his wife returned home for the first time Thursday afternoon.
“I didn’t want to see it,” Shields said. “But I had to see it.”
Sam Pena
The road to their home on Storm Mountain is long, winding and bumpy, and when the couple reached the summit, they couldn’t believe the sight.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s the reality,” Shields said.
The fire first engulfed the tool shed that Shields had built with his own hands. It eventually reached the cabin, destroying it and the two ATVs parked outside. Linnie said the house had been a vacation destination for her grandchildren.
“My grandson loved coming here and riding these ATVs,” Linnie said.
Despite the loss, Shields said they plan to rebuild the house and thanked his colleagues who started a GoFundMe campaign to support them.
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