Update: Abandoned campfire caused Interlaken Fire that is still burning on about 400 acres near Twin Lakes
Summit Daily News
U.S. Forest Service/Courtesy photo
Thursday, June 13, 9:30 a.m.: The Interlaken Fire that has so far burned hundreds of acres near a historic landmark at Twin Lakes was caused by a campfire that was not properly extinguished, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
As of Thursday morning, June 13, the latest information posted to the Interlaken Fire Information Facebook page said that the wildfire did not appear to have grown significantly overnight. A more detailed update is expected later this morning.
The fire as of Wednesday evening was estimated to have spread to about 443 acres with 0% containment. That’s about triple the size of Disneyland Park in California, which is 160 acres.
A Forest Service Fire Investigator briefed authorities on the human-related cause of the fire Wednesday afternoon, June 12, according to a news release from the Pike-San Isabel National Forest.
It was determined that the fire originated from an abandoned campfire located about 60 yards from the Interlaken Trail and 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The campfire was not properly extinguished and continued to burn — likely for several days, the release states.
Officials do not currently have any leads on who left the fire unattended. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service will reportedly be utilizing a tip line to identify potential suspects. Anyone with information regarding campers with a fire near Interlaken Resort between June 7 and June 11 are asked to call the tip line at 303-275-5266.
The human-cause of the Interlaken Fire has sparked reminders that as summer gets underway, bringing warmer temperatures and drier conditions to the Colorado Rocky Mountains, that nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by humans.
“Reminder: We’re in wildfire season. It’s on us,” 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 in the backcountry — are fully extinguished before leaving them, even just for ‘a couple of minutes.'”
The local Summit County fire protection district has been among the crews to respond to the Interlaken Fire, located just southwest of Leadville.
Never leave a campfire that is hot to the touch unattended, even to go to sleep, according to the U.S. Forest Service. A fire is not fully extinguished until it is no longer hot to the touch.
To fully extinguish a fire, start by drowning the campfire with water. Then, mix the ashes and embers with soil and scrape all partially-burned sticks and logs to make sure embers are off of them. Make sure everything is wet.
Feel the coals with your hand, including under the rocks to make sure there are no embers underneath. Everything – including the rock fire ring – should be cool to the touch. If it’s not, repeat the steps: Drown it. Stir it. Feel it.
Some of the largest and most devastating wildfires in Colorado’s history have been human-caused.
Historically, wildfire “seasons” were a four-month event in the middle of the summer. But compared to the 1970s, the wildfire season in Colorado has grown by 78 days, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says human-caused climate change, including increased heat and extended drought, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the West in the last two decades.
Wednesday, June 12, 4:30 p.m.: The Interlaken Fire has grown to 443 acres and is 0% contained, according to a news release from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
The wildfire is burning in timber and heavy dead and down fuels. There are 135 personnel assigned to the fire as well as two four helicopters and an air tanker, the release states.
“The Forest Services uses all available strategies and tools to manage wildfires,” USFS Leadville District Ranger Patrick Mercer said in a statement. “Firefighter and public safety is our first priority.”
Aviation resources are reportedly continuing to drop buckets of water and fire retardant on the wildfire to assist in minimizing the spread. Meanwhile, firefighters are to protect private property, the Interlaken Historic District structures, Canadian lynx habitat and utility infrastructure, the release states.
Currently there is no camping on the east side of Twin Lakes or around Interlaken trailhead. Willis Gulch trailhead is closed.
Wednesday, June 12, 3 p.m: The Interlaken Fire has grown to an estimated 413 acres, according to the Bureau of Land Management’s Colorado Fire Information map.
Wednesday, June 12, 11:30 a.m.: No structures were threatened as of Tuesday evening, June 11, by the wildfire that sparked at the Interlaken Historic District near Twin Lakes about 12 miles southwest of Leadville, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, the fire was estimated at 164 acres, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a news release published later that evening. Historic district buildings are not threatened at this time “due to fire staff on site who have provided structure protection efforts,” the release states.
Leadville-Lake County Fire Rescue, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and St. Vincent Health Ambulance Service first responded to the scene around 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday. Now, since the fire is on U.S. Forest Service land, fire suppression responsibility has been turned over to USFS, the news release states.
Some people recreating near Twin Lakes were evacuated by Lake County Sheriff’s Office and local search and rescue, including hikers who were transported to safety by boat, the release states. Pre-evacuation notices that were issued to residences on Lost Canyon Road and in Balltown were lifted late Tuesday evening. But the Sheriff’s Office reinstated the pre-evacuation notice at Lost Canyon Road early Wednesday morning.
Resources from Lake County Search & Rescue, Vail Fire & Emergency Services, Chaffee County Fire Protection District, Breckenridge-based Red, White, & Blue Fire Protection District, Summit Fire & EMS, and USFS have responded, the release states. Fire resources reportedly remained at the site throughout the night.
The Interlaken Historic Resort located along the southern shore of Twin Lakes was first built by John A. Staley as the Lakeside Resort in the 1870s, according to USFS. The popular mountain hotel was later purchased by James V. Dexter in 1883, who expanded it into a world-class resort, added 2,000 acres and renamed it Interlaken.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office warned that wildfire smoke could impact air quality in the area. Wildfire smoke from the Interlaken Fire could also waft through the surrounding mountain region on Wednesday, according to forecasts.
Tuesday, June 11, 7 p.m.: Evacuations are underway after a wildfire sparked near Twin Lakes south of Leadville on Tuesday afternoon, June 11, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Around 2 p.m., the Lake County government said on Facebook that local firefighters were on scene at the wildfire near the Interlaken Resort in the Twin Lakes area. USFS reported that the wildfire is 165 acres in size, and a helicopter has been called to assist with firefighting efforts.
The Sheriff’s Office called for the Interlaken area and County Road 25 to be evacuated as well as for pre-evacuation efforts to take place on Lost Canyon Road. Up to date information on evacuations related to the Interlaken Fire can be found at Facebook.com/lcso2019.
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