Regional Industry & News

Elk Fire burning near Gold Mountain Fire grows to 488 acres, community meeting to be held Monday night

LAKE CITY, Colo. (KKCO) — The Elk Fire, burning near the Gold Mountain Fire, is continuing to steadily grow after a lightning strike ignited it on July 9.

The fire moved to the north and slightly east on Sunday, displaying moderate fire behavior that crews are trying to keep in check with aircraft. Crews rappelled and parachuted into the western and southern parts of the fire to slow its advancement towards Elk Creek. A self-sufficient team of firefighting specialists called a Wildland Fire Module will be inserted Monday to try and confine the fire.

Incident command also said that it is changing its approach to managing this fire. Firefighters will be focusing more on indirect suppression tactics due to the fire’s extremely remote location and the inability to reach it by ground. “The risk of snags and the inability to perform a ground extraction in the event of a medical emergency helped form this decision. Firefighter safety remains the top priority,” officials said.

A public meeting will be held Monday, July 13 in Lake City at 6 p.m. It will be held at the Lake City Community School at 614 Silver Street, Lake City, Colorado. Those who can’t make it in person can attend virtually via the Hinsdale County Facebook page.

Fire crews will be scouting 868 Road on Monday for eventual use as a barrier against the fire. Other crews on the ground are also checking for natural features in the area that could be used to contain the fire.

Buildings are being assessed across Highway 149, and the speed limit has been reduced in that corridor to Lake City. Crews asked anyone driving in that area to slow down and turn on their headlights for more visibility to other drivers.

Hinsdale County offered its deepest condolences in the death of Firefighting Pilot Nicholas Dale, who was assigned to suppress the nearby Gold Mountain Fire. He was killed after he K-MAX helicopter went down Sunday and crashed in Silver Jack Reservoir. “We extend our deepest condolences to the pilot’s family, loved ones, and the Gold Mountain Incident Management Team during this difficult time,” officials said.

Evacuations

No evacuations have been ordered as of Monday afternoon, but officials urged everyone in the area to be ready to leave their homes at any time. Officials cited the fire’s ongoing development and growth, saying that different areas may come under threat.

Officials recommended putting together an evacuation plan for your family and animals ahead of time, put together a go kit, create a checklist of valuables if you need to leave quickly, and to register for Hinsdale County Alerts to get emergency updates.