The Interlaken Fire caused by an abandoned campfire continues to burn at 585 acres near Twin Lakes with 5% containment

Friday June 14, 9:00 a.m.: The Interlaken Fire near Twin Lakes continues to burn about 585 acres – just under a square mile – but was 5% contained as of Friday morning, June 14, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Investigators said the human-caused wildfire originated from a campfire that had not been put out properly and had been left unattended, possibly for several days. As of Friday morning, authorities said 214 people were battling the flames.

On Saturday, June 15, a community meeting on the Interlaken Fire is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Leadville Lake County Fire Station. A video will be uploaded to the Interlaken Fire Information Facebook page after the meeting.

Firefighters worked through the night of Thursday, June 13, to protect historic structures near the Interlaken Complex as fire activity intensified near the northwest corner of the wildfire, according to the Forest Service the United States. Fire managers determined Thursday evening that there was now about 5% containment along the northwest edge of the fire.

On the north side of the fire, the terrain is steep and filled with dead and downed lodgepole pine trees. The fire is reportedly moving slowly through the undergrowth in that area, backing toward the Interlaken Trail, which firefighters plan to use as a fire line.

On the southwest side of the fire, crews are building a direct fire line and plan to connect it to a local road, the Forest Service said. More crews are expected to arrive in that area Friday to help build the fire line.

Fire crews are also reportedly gathering information on the location of structures on private land near the southwest edge of the fire.

Meanwhile, local search and rescue teams are assisting firefighters by using boats to transport supplies across the lake to the fire zone. More helicopters are also expected to arrive at the fire, with two Type 1, two Type 2 and one Type 3 helicopters planning to assist the Interlaken fire on Friday.

Trails in and around the historic Interlaken complex are closed due to the fire. The Twin Lakes surface is also closed and a temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire because the operation of drones or other aircraft would interfere with firefighting efforts.

Colorado government agencies continue to remind residents and visitors of the importance of good fire safety, including completely extinguishing all campfires until they are cool to the touch.

Thursday June 13, 3:30 p.m.: The Interlaken Fire has grown to about 578 acres but remains 0% contained, according to the federal government's InciWeb map..

A Type III incident management team is now managing the wildfire, which is occurring primarily on U.S. Forest Service land. The Leadville-Lake County Fire Department said on Facebook that “this great resource brings more people, vehicles and fire equipment.”

Thursday June 13, 9:30 a.m.: The Interlaken Fire, which has so far burned hundreds of acres near a historic landmark in Twin Lakes, was started by a camp fire that was not properly extinguished, according to the Service American forester.

As of Thursday morning, June 13, the latest information posted on the Interlaken Fire Information Facebook page indicated that the wildfire did not appear to have grown significantly overnight. A more detailed update is expected later this morning.

As of Wednesday evening, the fire is estimated to have grown to approximately 443 acres with 0% containment. That's about two-thirds of a square mile, or about half the size of New York's Central Park, at 843 acres.

A Forest Service fire investigator notified authorities of the human cause of the fire Wednesday afternoon, June 12, according to a news release from the Pike-San Isabel National Forest.

The fire was determined to have originated from an abandoned campfire located approximately 200 feet from the Interlaken Trail and 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The camp fire was not properly extinguished and continued to burn – likely for several days, the release said.

Authorities currently have no leads as to who left the fire unattended. The Lake County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Forest Service are reportedly using a tip line to identify potential suspects. Anyone with information regarding campers experiencing a fire near Interlaken Resort between June 7 and 11 is asked to call the tip line at 303-275-5266.

The human cause of the Interlaken fire served as a reminder that as summer approaches, bringing hotter temperatures and drier conditions to Colorado's Rocky Mountains, nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by the man..

“Reminder: We are in wildfire season. This is our responsibility,” Summit Fire & EMS said in a Facebook post Wednesday. “Please be careful with all open flames and make sure your campfires – in your backyard or outback – are completely extinguished before leaving them, even for “a few minutes.” »

The Summit County Local Fire Protection District was among the teams responding to the Interlaken Fire, located just southwest of Leadville.

Never leave a warm-to-the-touch campfire unattended, even to fall asleep, according to the U.S. Forest Service. A fire only goes out completely when it is no longer hot to the touch.

To completely extinguish a fire, start by drowning the campfire with water. Next, mix the ashes and embers with soil and scrape away any partially burned sticks and logs to make sure there are no embers on them. Make sure everything is wet.

Touch the embers with your hand, including under rocks, to make sure there are no embers underneath. Everything – including the stone fire ring – should be cool to the touch. If not, repeat the steps: Drown it. Stir. Feel it.