Single Publication

Interlaken Fire Update

Type 3 Incident Management Team, 

John Markalunas, Incident Commander 

Size: 731 acres  

Containment: 86%    

Total Personnel: 246

Current Situation: Yesterday, Interlaken fire increased in containment to 86%. The increase in acreage was a combination of more accurate mapping from the most recent infra-red detection flight and the fire burning near Twin Lakes shore. The fire was active on the north end of the fire (DIV A), where fire backed downhill 500 feet in some areas from the Colorado Trail towards the lake shore. This area of the fire remains uncontained. There was some additional interior fire activity on the northeast end of fire (DIV A/D) where the fire burned up to the 2018 Flume Creek prescribed burn area and stopped. On the south end (DIV D) firefighters made great progress securing the fire edge by extinguishing heat, and there were no hot spots detected outside of the fire perimeter. Helicopters assisted firefighters with water bucket drops on the southwest corner of the fire (DIV D) to cool down interior pockets of heat to prevent spotting outside the fire perimeter. Due to the warmer temperatures and winds, a pocket of unburned fuel burned near the historical structures. The fire module working the division was able to cool the fire and secure the area. Firefighters on west end of the fire (DIV Z) utilized water pumps and hose lays and made good progress to secure.

Today, firefighters will continue to improve the depth of containment lines by using hose lays to extinguish heat near the fire perimeter. Firefighters on the north end (DIV A) are protecting the trails to limit impact and preserve the trees as the fire backs down to the lake shoreline. Crews will continue to search for possible remaining smoldering heat outside of the perimeter. Firefighters continue chainsaw operations to remove hazard trees along trails and the 399-road system within the burn area to make the area safe for future recreational use. Helicopters continue to be available to assist firefighters.

Smoke: Inversion smoke may impact the Twin Lakes and Hwy 82 corridor during morning and evening hours. Smoke should lift by mid-morning continuing to be light to moderate concentrations during the day. https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx) Visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ for resources on smoke.

Weather: Red flag warning and fire weather watch in effect today until 8 PM for hot, dry, windy conditions. Sunny today, max temps 72F with humidity 7-12%. Winds will pick up again in the afternoon 16-20 mph from the southwest. 

Closures: Be aware that several trail, lot, and road closures are in place. As of 6-14-24, there is an official order from the Forest Service. Refer to the PSICC website and check under FIRE RESTRICTIONS AND FOREST ORDERS on the main page. See closure map here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1181393.pdf, and closure order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1181392.pdf

Evacuations: All pre-evacuation notices were lifted on June 16, 2024, at 7PM.  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: 2024.interlaken@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560818226034 (“Interlaken Fire Information”)

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/copsf-interlaken-fire