Single Publication

Interlaken Fire Update

June 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.  

Type 3 Incident Management Team, 

Nick Ostrom, Incident Commander 

Location: 7 miles S-SW of Leadville, Colorado         Date Reported: June 11, 2024, at 2:01 pm  

Cause: Human caused

Size: 698 acres                                    Containment: 95%                                       Total Personnel: 158

Current Situation: Due to the amazing work by firefighters, cooperators and support staff, the fire threat has been reduced. Saturday, June 22, 2024, will be the last daily update for Interlaken Fire. For additional updates on the fire or closure areas, continue to visit Interlaken Fire Facebook page, Inciweb page, and the Pike San Isabel Commanche and Cimarron Grasslands National Forest Facebook page. Expect to see reductions in fire personnel in the coming days.

Firefighters walked the perimeter of the Interlaken Fire yesterday using GPS capabilities to update the fire perimeter more accurately and as a result, the acreage of the fire was reduced from 748 to 698. This option is not always available but remains the most accurate form of mapping. The welcomed precipitation has diminished fire activity and containment was increased to 95%. Firefighters will remain on the fire repairing suppression actions. Areas affected by the closure are being reevaluated, but the closure cannot be fully lifted until the area is safe for outdoor enthusiasts to enter.

Yesterday firefighters moved equipment, hoses, and gear from the fire area back to camp with the help of a helicopter. Helicopters are often utilized for this operation. They use a swivel with hooks on each end of the cable and netting to carry large amounts of equipment to areas not easily accessed by road. The swivels attach the cable to the bottom of the aircraft, and the cable extends down to a large net where crew members place a variety of materials including equipment, fuel, and hoses. All items are weighed prior to flight as to not exceed helicopter capabilities. This is referred to as sling loads. Sling loads play an important role in ensuring firefighters have the support they need to fight a fire in areas where there is limited ground access.

Please remember: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains over the fire area. If you FLY, we CAN’T. Do not fly or operate your own drones in this area, as it will impede firefighting efforts and ground our aircraft. 

Smoke: Air quality monitors in the area are indicating good and excellent around the Interlaken fire area.  https://www.colorado.gov/airquality/colo_smoke.aspx) Visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ for resources on smoke.

Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are expected again today with local heavy rain possible. Maximum temperatures near 70 degrees with relative humidity 26-31 percent and winds SW 10-15 mph. 

Closures: A reduction in the Forest Service closure order went into effect on 6-18-24. Several recreation sites, campgrounds and trails have reopened, however there is still closure area in effect. Please check the 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/.../FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1181904.pdf, and closure order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1181903.pdf.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place.  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

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