WALDEN, Colo. — The Beaver Creek Fire is approaching 5,500 acres, with firefighters unable to invade the fire zone because of massive quantities of fuel caused by beetle kill. Fire officials said Saturday they might not have full containment until early August. Containment on Saturday was just 5 percent.
Thunderstorms overnight created small spot fires quickly addressed by firefighters. Night shift firefighters focused on structure defense and cooling spots around values at risk.
A mild cold front passed over the area Friday night, leaving drier air and cooler temperatures. The wind shifted from the southwest to the northeast with the arrival of the front.
The fire is burning in the Routt National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management’s Independence Mountain and private land. Forty residences or cabins remain at risk. Concerned cabin owners or local residents should contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office for damage and loss information at 970-723-4242.
Closures remain in place: Big Creek Lake, Big Creek Lakes Campground, the area east of the Mount Zirkel Wilderness boundary south of Forest Road 681 and south of Forest Road 80, all of Independence Mountain, Beaver Creek and Seven Lakes Trailheads, County Road 6W, and Forest Roads 80 (Hog Park Road), 600, 681 and 689.
The cause is under investigation.