Interlaken fire still active, Clear Creek area on prior evacuation notice | News

On Wednesday June 12, a briefing took place to provide an update on the Interlaken fire. During the briefing, it was learned that:

• The fire has now grown to 400 acres.
• There was some growth today because of the wind.
• The fire appears to be spreading south.
• Lake County deputies were sent to nearby campgrounds to make sure people were aware.
• No injuries were reported.
• A total of 120 people responded and are at work among local, state and federal groups. Additional reinforcements have been requested and are expected to join the effort.
• There is a “hot shot” ground team on site as well as 30 to 40 local responders. Another hot shot team is on the way.
• The aircraft will continue to be used for mitigation and assessment purposes. Another aircraft module is on its way from Denver.
• Fire Station 2 serves as the base.
• The U.S. Forest Service is working to find better ways to communicate with the public, including an online method and daily or every other day public meetings.

The following is an update of the Democratic Herald Wednesday morning :

The U.S. Forest Service reported that the wildfire near Interlaken's historic Twin Lakes neighborhood is still active and has not been contained. However, fire activity subsided significantly overnight.

As a precaution, the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office is sending a pre-evacuation notice to residents and recreationists in the area from Clear Creek Reservoir North to the Chaffee County/Lake County line , according to a press release from Beth Helmke, assistant director. administration, sent at 12:06 p.m. on June 12.

“This is pre-evacuation notification only at this time,” the press release states. “Please be prepared to leave if it becomes necessary. The Sheriff's Office sent out an emergency alert, through Everbridge, shortly after the press release, informing residents of the pre-evacuation.

For updates, check Facebook.com/ChaffeeCountyGov and Instagram.com/chaffeecounty, as well as the Chaffee Sheriff's social media page at Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064823673147.

Lake County Dispatch received reports of the fire at 1:35 p.m. on June 11 and local authorities were on scene at 1:40 p.m. The area was evacuated immediately. Those who were able to get to their cars got to safety and those who couldn't were transported by boat across the lake.

The fire is within US Forest Service territory and jurisdiction. The U.S. Forest Service took charge of the fire shortly after local authorities responded. Helicopters were used to drop water on the fire as well as flame retardant on the buildings. In a June 11 news release, the Leadville/Lake County Fire Department said the buildings are not currently threatened. Planes flew over the fire to determine the extent of the flames. As of 5 p.m. on June 11, the fire was reported to have covered 164 acres.

On June 12 at 10 a.m., a fire investigator arrived on scene. The U.S. Forest Service said it would continue to use helicopters in addition to ground crews to try to contain the fire. They said the fire would likely still be active for a few days. Their current goal is to contain the fire 100%, meaning they are confident it will not spread further, but could still be active.

Currently, the Interlaken Trailhead, parts of the Continental Divide Trail, Willis Gulch Trailhead, Willis Stump Road, and Sheep Gulch Trailhead are closed. No dispersed camping is permitted below Twin Lakes Dam, but all developed campgrounds are still open. There is no deadline for their reopening.

U.S. Forest Service fire restrictions only allow fires in developed campgrounds and picnic areas, not in dispersed campgrounds. In developed areas, the U.S. Forest Service recommends that fires be kept in designated areas and completely extinguished. The fire risk in the Leadville Ranger District is still “moderate.”

The U.S. Forest Service announced plans to create a Facebook page dedicated to the Interlaken Fire that would provide updates on the situation.

Courier Editor Cailey McDermott contributed to this story.