Grizzly Creek fire spares Hanging Lake but keeps I-70 closed
The Grizzly Creek fire, which has been burning out of control since Monday, reached 28,030 acres Wednesday as more than 800 firefighters continued battling flames and dry, hot conditions, officials say.
The fire, now 4% contained, spread west of Bair Ranch east of Glenwood Springs and backed under Interstate 70, which has been closed for nearly a week, according to the Incident Information System.
Saturday’s weather will be a repeat of Friday, hot and dry with moderate winds, stymieing efforts to get a fire line around it.
Hanging Lake, a treasured national landmark in Glenwood Canyon, appears to have been largely spared after a major blowup late Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service said.
After a flyover later in the day, Scott Fitzwilliams, White River National Forest supervisor, said the flames had spared the vegetation on the lake cliffs and the wooden walkways.
“This afternoon, we flew over Hanging Lake to asses impacts from the Grizzly Creek fire,” White River National Forest posted on Twitter. “The immediate area around Hanging Lake, the boardwalk, the upper reaches of the trail did not burn.
“Other areas surrounding the lake burned intensely. Still some active fire in the area.”
Hanging Lake is one of the most popular outdoor destinations in Colorado, accessible by a steep, rocky trail about a mile from Interstate 70. Before the trail was closed by the fire, reservations were required to try to protect the lake and trail from overuse.
The Grizzly Creek fire is the top priority in the nation because it is has shut down I-70. The fire started in the median of I-70 near the Grizzly Creek recreation area about 1:30 p.m. Monday, the Glenwood Springs Post Independent reported. The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined.
Residents near Spring Valley, south of Glenwood Springs and north of Carbondale, were evacuated for yet another wildfire, the Red Canyon fire, formerly named Fisher Creek fire, according to the Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District.
Officials say the fire is 30-40 acres. Residents in the High Aspen, Coulter Ranch and Homesteads Estates were evacuated to the Roaring Fork High School.
The Garfield County sheriff announced on Twitter that the evacuations were lifted and the fire is controlled Wednesday at 8:16 p.m.
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The Grizzly Creek fire rages on. Photo courtesy of {span}Official Fire Information for the Grizzly Creek Fire on the White River National Forest in Glenwood Canyon.{/span}
Embers from the Grizzly Creek fire illuminate the mountains above Glenwood Springs
on Thursday evening
.
Courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Grizzly Creek fire as viewed from Interstate 70 on Aug. 14.
Grizzly Creek fire on I-70 Friday night. Photo courtesy of Colorado Department of Transportation.
Grizzly Creek fire on I-70 Friday night. Photo courtesy of Colorado Department of Transportation.
Grizzly Creek fire on I-70 Friday night. Photo courtesy of Colorado Department of Transportation.
A very large airtanker flies around the plume of smoke billowing from the Grizzly Creek Fire as it blows up in No Name Canyon on Wednesday afternoon. A very large airtanker flies around the plume of smoke billowing from the Grizzly Creek Fire as it blows up in No Name Canyon on Wednesday afternoon.
A Huey helicopter drops down to land at the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport to refuel before returning to continue fighting the Grizzly Creek Fire late Thursday afternoon. A Huey helicopter drops down to land at the Glenwood Springs Municipal Airport to refuel before returning to continue fighting the Grizzly Creek Fire late Thursday afternoon.
Fire crews work to battle the Grizzly Creek Fire as it shoots down the ridge into No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120. Fire crews work to battle the Grizzly Creek Fire as it shoots down the ridge into No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120.
Fire crews work to battle the Grizzly Creek Fire as it shoots down the ridge into No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120. Fire crews work to battle the Grizzly Creek Fire as it shoots down the ridge into No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120.
A man watches and takes photos of the Grizzly Creek Fire as it blows up in No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120. A man watches and takes photos of the Grizzly Creek Fire as it blows up in No Name Canyon on Tuesday afternoon after the fire initially started on Interstate 70 on Monday at MM 120.