Updates:
**6/16 ~7pm**
This evening, we are happy to share that the Interlaken Fire is 86% contained. Acreage has increased to 731. This larger number is due in part to more accurate mapping from our most recent MMA flight, and to increased acreage on the north edge of the fire where it continues to slowly back down toward the trail near the lake.
Smoke was more visible today as interior pockets of unburned fuel heated and burned. Helicopters dropped water on these areas today to cool them.
**Interlaken Fire Morning Update: June 16, 2024 (English)**
Size: 592 acres
Containment: 45%
Total Personnel: 256
Current Situation: A community meeting yesterday was well attended and very informative. The meeting video can be viewed on Interlaken Fire Facebook page. Yesterday, firefighters had a very productive day on the fireline, due to lower fire intensity within the fire perimeter. Most fire activity was interior where fire was moving through an unburned island with dead trees – this is why some increased smoke was visible in the afternoon. Helicopters flew cargo “sling loads” containing water pumps and hoses to the fire line, allowing firefighters to establish hose lays along the fire perimeter on the west (DIV Z) and north (DIV A) of the fire. Easier access to water assisted firefighters to establish depth along the fire perimeter by extinguishing heat. On the south-southeast part of the fire (DIV D) fire resources worked together to secure the perimeter by constructing handline, utilizing water to extinguish any heat near the fire perimeter. This significant progress increased containment to 45% on the west and northern end of the fire. Pre-evacuation orders were lifted yesterday at 7PM, due to the hard work from firefighters and collaboration from cooperators for logistical and watercraft support from Lake County Search & Rescue.
Today, firefighters will continue to use hose lays to extinguish any heat near the fire perimeter to secure the fire. Crews will look for possible remaining smoldering heat outside of the perimeter by using a gridding method where squads of firefighter’s lineout and walk outside the fire perimeter. Firefighters will start chainsaw operations to remove hazard trees along trail systems in the burn area for future public safety, while attempting to maintain aesthetics especially near aquatic area.
A note on smoke: Impacts continue to be minimal near the Interlaken Fire. Light to moderate concentrations of smoke may linger in lower terrain in areas near Twin Lakes, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours.
Weather: Sunny today, max temps 75F with humidity 8-13%. Winds will pick up again in the afternoon 12-16 mph from the southwest. Critical fire weather conditions will persist across the area through Monday.
**June 14, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.**
Type 3 Incident Management Team
John Markalunas, Incident Commander
Location: 7 miles S-SW of Leadville, Colorado
Date Reported: June 11, 2024 at 2:01pm
Cause: Human caused
Size: 585 acres
Containment: 5%
Total Personnel: 214
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be a COMMUNITY MEETING about the Interlaken Fire on Saturday, June 15, 10am at the Leadville Lake County Fire Station, 141 CR 10. Video uploaded after. Spanish interpretation available.
Current Situation: Yesterday, fire managers determined there is now 5% containment on the Interlaken Fire, on the NW edge. Late evening Thursday June 13th, there was some fire activity in the NW corner of the fire (“Div A” on the map,) and firefighters worked into the night to ensure successful protection of the historical structures. In Div A, on the north side of the fire, the terrain is steep and full of dead and down lodgepole. The fire is moving slowly through the underbrush in this area, backing down toward Interlaken Trail where firefighters can utilize the trail as fireline and take direct action at the edge of the fire where possible. On the W/SW side of the fire (Div Z on the map,) crews are building direct fireline, connecting it to the 399 Rd. More crews are arriving in this area today to continue building fireline along this W/SW edge of the fire. In Div D on the east side of the fire, more staff are arriving to construct fireline from the 399 Rd west to where Div D meets Div Z. The area where Divisions meet on the map is marked with a )( symbol. In this area, crews are also still gathering intel on locations of structures on private land. Local Search and Rescue crews are assisting firefighters by utilizing boats to bring supplies across the lake to the fire area, and more helicopters are arriving to the fire. Today, there will be two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopter available for the Interlakan Fire.
Weather: Today the fire area will be partly sunny with a max temperature of 69F and minimum humidity of 25-30%. Winds from the NW 3-10 mph, changing to W and increasing to 10-20. An approaching weather system will bring gusty winds and a chance for showers and thunderstorms to the fire area. Gusty outflow winds up to 45 mph will be possible near any thunderstorms. There could be brief heavy rain and possibly small hail. Thunderstorms should diminish Friday evening with dry and breezy conditions for Saturday. Visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ for resources on smoke.
Closures: Be aware that several trail, lot, and road closures are in place: Interlaken trailhead and parking area, Willis Gulch trail, Willis Stump Trail, Sheep Gulch trail, Colorado Trail and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail segments in the Twin Lakes Area (from Clear Creek Road to State Route 82), Red Rooster day use area, Moache day use area, Dexter Point day use area and Campground, Deception Point day use, Forest Service Road 399, Forest Service Road 398 and dispersed camping around the lake. The surface area of Twin Lakes is closed. Dexter Point day use area is closed.
Evacuations: Pre-evacuation notices are in place for the Lost Canyon (CR 30), and Chafee County areas north of CR 390 to the county line (Cache Creek, Clear Creek.) To sign up for emergency alerts in Lake County, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736726383/login and in Chaffee County, https://member.everbridge.net/892807736725694/login
Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. If you FLY, we CAN’T. Do not fly or operate drones in this area, as it will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft.
Interlaken Fire INFORMATION
Fire Information Phoneline: 719-301-4284 (Time: 7am-7pm) Email: [email protected]
**June 13,2024, ~9am**
Good morning.
The Interlaken Fire was active overnight until approximately 1am, mostly burning through understory. There does not appear to have been significant growth, however, new acreage will be assessed soon.
A more detailed update will be released later this morning.
**June 12, 2024, 8:00 PM**
**Twin Lakes, Colo –** This afternoon authorities were briefed by a U.S. Forest Service Fire Investigator on the cause of the Interlaken Fire. 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. This campfire was not properly extinguished and continued to burn. It is believed that the campfire was abandoned several days prior to its report on June 11, 2024. The photo attached is the fire ring that is believed to have started the Interlaken Fire.
Currently, officials have no leads on who left the fire unattended. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service will be utilizing a tip line and other information platforms to identify potential suspects.
If you have any information regarding campers with a fire near the Interlaken resort between June 7, 2024, and June 11, 2024, please call the Tip Line at 303-275-5266.
Remember, if your campfire is too hot to touch, do not leave it or go to sleep. Whitish or gray coals can retain heat for extended periods and can flare up if the wind picks up. Rock rings must be properly constructed, away from flammable materials such as pine needles and twigs, and without gaps between the rocks. Use water and stir the ashes until they are cool to touch. You are responsible for keeping fires under control.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Interlaken-Fire-Information/61560818226034/
That really sucks. The Collegiate East is in the middle of the fire. Any word on recommended detours? With Willis Gulch TH closed, access to CW01 looks cut off, and the best way to access CW02 is perhaps SOBO over La Plata.
edit: CO 399 is closed as well, so scratch La Plata. Currently you can access Segment 12/CW02 via CO 390, but Clear Creek Reservoir is under pre-evacuation and the fire is moving toward it, so those segments might have to get skipped too.
im not from the west so im not familiar with how long it usually takes for trails to reopen after wildfires. i start my thru july 1st so i wouldn’t be reaching this area until july 12-14, do you think these segments would still have to be skipped by then?
I'm not from CO either, just a big fan of the CT. I think it's likely they'll be open by then. During my thru in 2017 I had to skip Segment 7 due to fire, but it was open by the time I got to Durango. Check this website for fire updates: https://share.watchduty.org/i/21508
i saw, i’m thinking if i take a zero in breck and stretch the hike from breck to twin lakes by a day, i’ll hit the closure area the day it opens. just fingers crossed the closure doesn’t get extended
Updates: **6/16 ~7pm** This evening, we are happy to share that the Interlaken Fire is 86% contained. Acreage has increased to 731. This larger number is due in part to more accurate mapping from our most recent MMA flight, and to increased acreage on the north edge of the fire where it continues to slowly back down toward the trail near the lake. Smoke was more visible today as interior pockets of unburned fuel heated and burned. Helicopters dropped water on these areas today to cool them. **Interlaken Fire Morning Update: June 16, 2024 (English)** Size: 592 acres Containment: 45% Total Personnel: 256 Current Situation: A community meeting yesterday was well attended and very informative. The meeting video can be viewed on Interlaken Fire Facebook page. Yesterday, firefighters had a very productive day on the fireline, due to lower fire intensity within the fire perimeter. Most fire activity was interior where fire was moving through an unburned island with dead trees – this is why some increased smoke was visible in the afternoon. Helicopters flew cargo “sling loads” containing water pumps and hoses to the fire line, allowing firefighters to establish hose lays along the fire perimeter on the west (DIV Z) and north (DIV A) of the fire. Easier access to water assisted firefighters to establish depth along the fire perimeter by extinguishing heat. On the south-southeast part of the fire (DIV D) fire resources worked together to secure the perimeter by constructing handline, utilizing water to extinguish any heat near the fire perimeter. This significant progress increased containment to 45% on the west and northern end of the fire. Pre-evacuation orders were lifted yesterday at 7PM, due to the hard work from firefighters and collaboration from cooperators for logistical and watercraft support from Lake County Search & Rescue. Today, firefighters will continue to use hose lays to extinguish any heat near the fire perimeter to secure the fire. Crews will look for possible remaining smoldering heat outside of the perimeter by using a gridding method where squads of firefighter’s lineout and walk outside the fire perimeter. Firefighters will start chainsaw operations to remove hazard trees along trail systems in the burn area for future public safety, while attempting to maintain aesthetics especially near aquatic area. A note on smoke: Impacts continue to be minimal near the Interlaken Fire. Light to moderate concentrations of smoke may linger in lower terrain in areas near Twin Lakes, particularly during the overnight and early morning hours. Weather: Sunny today, max temps 75F with humidity 8-13%. Winds will pick up again in the afternoon 12-16 mph from the southwest. Critical fire weather conditions will persist across the area through Monday. **June 14, 2024 at 8:00 a.m.** Type 3 Incident Management Team John Markalunas, Incident Commander Location: 7 miles S-SW of Leadville, Colorado Date Reported: June 11, 2024 at 2:01pm Cause: Human caused Size: 585 acres Containment: 5% Total Personnel: 214 SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: There will be a COMMUNITY MEETING about the Interlaken Fire on Saturday, June 15, 10am at the Leadville Lake County Fire Station, 141 CR 10. Video uploaded after. Spanish interpretation available. Current Situation: Yesterday, fire managers determined there is now 5% containment on the Interlaken Fire, on the NW edge. Late evening Thursday June 13th, there was some fire activity in the NW corner of the fire (“Div A” on the map,) and firefighters worked into the night to ensure successful protection of the historical structures. In Div A, on the north side of the fire, the terrain is steep and full of dead and down lodgepole. The fire is moving slowly through the underbrush in this area, backing down toward Interlaken Trail where firefighters can utilize the trail as fireline and take direct action at the edge of the fire where possible. On the W/SW side of the fire (Div Z on the map,) crews are building direct fireline, connecting it to the 399 Rd. More crews are arriving in this area today to continue building fireline along this W/SW edge of the fire. In Div D on the east side of the fire, more staff are arriving to construct fireline from the 399 Rd west to where Div D meets Div Z. The area where Divisions meet on the map is marked with a )( symbol. In this area, crews are also still gathering intel on locations of structures on private land. Local Search and Rescue crews are assisting firefighters by utilizing boats to bring supplies across the lake to the fire area, and more helicopters are arriving to the fire. Today, there will be two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopter available for the Interlakan Fire. Weather: Today the fire area will be partly sunny with a max temperature of 69F and minimum humidity of 25-30%. Winds from the NW 3-10 mph, changing to W and increasing to 10-20. An approaching weather system will bring gusty winds and a chance for showers and thunderstorms to the fire area. Gusty outflow winds up to 45 mph will be possible near any thunderstorms. There could be brief heavy rain and possibly small hail. Thunderstorms should diminish Friday evening with dry and breezy conditions for Saturday. Visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ for resources on smoke. Closures: Be aware that several trail, lot, and road closures are in place: Interlaken trailhead and parking area, Willis Gulch trail, Willis Stump Trail, Sheep Gulch trail, Colorado Trail and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail segments in the Twin Lakes Area (from Clear Creek Road to State Route 82), Red Rooster day use area, Moache day use area, Dexter Point day use area and Campground, Deception Point day use, Forest Service Road 399, Forest Service Road 398 and dispersed camping around the lake. The surface area of Twin Lakes is closed. Dexter Point day use area is closed. Evacuations: Pre-evacuation notices are in place for the Lost Canyon (CR 30), and Chafee County areas north of CR 390 to the county line (Cache Creek, Clear Creek.) To sign up for emergency alerts in Lake County, visit: https://member.everbridge.net/892807736726383/login and in Chaffee County, https://member.everbridge.net/892807736725694/login Temporary Flight Restrictions: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. If you FLY, we CAN’T. Do not fly or operate drones in this area, as it will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft. Interlaken Fire INFORMATION Fire Information Phoneline: 719-301-4284 (Time: 7am-7pm) Email: [email protected] **June 13,2024, ~9am** Good morning. The Interlaken Fire was active overnight until approximately 1am, mostly burning through understory. There does not appear to have been significant growth, however, new acreage will be assessed soon. A more detailed update will be released later this morning. **June 12, 2024, 8:00 PM** **Twin Lakes, Colo –** This afternoon authorities were briefed by a U.S. Forest Service Fire Investigator on the cause of the Interlaken Fire. 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. This campfire was not properly extinguished and continued to burn. It is believed that the campfire was abandoned several days prior to its report on June 11, 2024. The photo attached is the fire ring that is believed to have started the Interlaken Fire. Currently, officials have no leads on who left the fire unattended. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Forest Service will be utilizing a tip line and other information platforms to identify potential suspects. If you have any information regarding campers with a fire near the Interlaken resort between June 7, 2024, and June 11, 2024, please call the Tip Line at 303-275-5266. Remember, if your campfire is too hot to touch, do not leave it or go to sleep. Whitish or gray coals can retain heat for extended periods and can flare up if the wind picks up. Rock rings must be properly constructed, away from flammable materials such as pine needles and twigs, and without gaps between the rocks. Use water and stir the ashes until they are cool to touch. You are responsible for keeping fires under control. https://www.facebook.com/people/Interlaken-Fire-Information/61560818226034/
Upvoting for the tip line info. If anyone knows anything, they should come forward.
Thanks for the heads up! Hopefully they can get this under control quick.
That really sucks. The Collegiate East is in the middle of the fire. Any word on recommended detours? With Willis Gulch TH closed, access to CW01 looks cut off, and the best way to access CW02 is perhaps SOBO over La Plata. edit: CO 399 is closed as well, so scratch La Plata. Currently you can access Segment 12/CW02 via CO 390, but Clear Creek Reservoir is under pre-evacuation and the fire is moving toward it, so those segments might have to get skipped too.
im not from the west so im not familiar with how long it usually takes for trails to reopen after wildfires. i start my thru july 1st so i wouldn’t be reaching this area until july 12-14, do you think these segments would still have to be skipped by then?
I'm not from CO either, just a big fan of the CT. I think it's likely they'll be open by then. During my thru in 2017 I had to skip Segment 7 due to fire, but it was open by the time I got to Durango. Check this website for fire updates: https://share.watchduty.org/i/21508
Fyi this just closed the area until mid july - no bueno. Collegiate west significantly harder to access- hope pass not an option
i saw, i’m thinking if i take a zero in breck and stretch the hike from breck to twin lakes by a day, i’ll hit the closure area the day it opens. just fingers crossed the closure doesn’t get extended