Blue Bell Fire burning southwest of Chautauqua on Feb. 28, 2026 (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)
[Update 6:47 p.m.] Boulder Fire-Rescue announced the Blue Bell fire is 100% contained with no active flames. Crews will monitor the area Saturday night and Sunday.
[Update 4:34 p.m.] The fire was around 50% contained as of around 3:45 p.m., according to Boulder fire chief Michael Calderazzo. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks trails were evacuated with no injuries reported. Calderazzo said the cause of the fire is under investigation. He said no structures were threatened by the fire.
“It never even really got close to the cottages,” Calderazzo said. “This was all out in open space.”
[Update 2:53 p.m.] Blue Bell fire estimated to be around 1.5 acres in size. More than nine agencies and 100 firefighters are responding. They are monitoring weather and wind conditions and working to contain the fire, according to an update on X.
Boulder Fire-Rescue issued an evacuation warning around Chautauqua Cottages at 1:25 p.m. due to a wildfire. The fire size was estimated to be around 5 acres, according to an update on X at 2:06 p.m.
Helicopter responding to Blue Bell fire on Feb. 28, 2026 (Sagan Randall/CU Independent)The fire is moving away from Boulder, according to an update. It reported a helicopter and more than 50 firefighters are responding to the Blue Bell fire. The fire is spreading at a moderate rate.
Further updates can be found on Boulder Fire-Rescue’s X account.
Contact CU Assistant Independent News Editor Avery Clifton at Avery.Clifton@colorado.edu
Contact CU Independent Visuals Editor Sagan Randall at sagan.randall@colorado.edu.
