DENVER (KDVR) — Evacuations were ordered Tuesday afternoon after a fire broke out near Interlaken in the Twin Lakes area.
The fire was estimated at about 165 acres as of Tuesday evening and was burning about 12 miles southwest of Leadville, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The fire was burning on the south side of the lakes, where there aren’t many homes but many campgrounds, and access is difficult.
Helicopter drops were underway to fight the fire at the historic Interlaken complex. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said the hikers were transported from Interlaken aboard a search and rescue boat.
“Buildings in the Interlaken Historic District are not at risk at this time, thanks to firefighters on scene providing structure protection efforts,” the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said shortly after 7:30 p.m. “Firefighters will remain at this site throughout the night.”
Interlaken fire near Leadville
Evacuations
- The Interlaken sector and departmental road 25
Prior evacuations are lifted
An evacuation center at 6th Street Gym in Leadville was open briefly but had closed as of Tuesday evening. The sheriff’s office said it would reopen if necessary.
The fire was reported around 1:35 p.m. and crews from multiple agencies arrived about 5 minutes later, according to the sheriff’s office. The fire is on US Forest Service land, so the federal agency has taken over the fight.
Residents in the area were advised to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to intervene. Lake County government also advised people to “avoid spreading inquiries too thin while they coordinate resources.”
