EAGLE COUNTY, Colo. — Crews responded to three different fires reported in an area located on the western slope in Eagle County Tuesday afternoon.
The Red Hill Fire was reported at 1:51 p.m. near mile marker 133 on westbound Interstate 70 between Gypsum and Dotsero. As of 3:17 p.m., it was estimated to be about 19 acres in size and burning in sagebrush, juniper and piñon in the area.
Air support was called in for assistance including multiple engines, a Type 1 helicopter and a large air tanker that dropped fire retardant.
Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCRIFMU) said Tuesday night crews continued to aggressively engage in suppression efforts on the fire.
Air and ground resources have been working to establish an anchor point and flank the fire. Crews continued working Tuesday evening to take advantage of cooler temperatures.
On Wednesday, the fire was estimated to be 25% contained and UCRIFMU said crews were hopeful the fire would be completely contained by the end of the day.
At 8 a.m. on Friday, UCRIFM said the fire was fully contained and all crews and resources had cleared the area.
The Wapiti Fire was reported at 2:04 p.m. off of Wapiti Road north of I-70 near Eagle. One to two juniper trees were on fire, covering about a tenth of an acre. At 2:44 p.m., Eagle County PIO said that the fire was contained.
Another wildfire, the Buckhorn Fire was reported in the Buckhorn area involving a single tree, estimated to be about a tenth of an acre. At 2:33 p.m., Eagle County officials said civilians in the area had already taken action to put the fire out when crews arrived at the scene. At 4:02 p.m. they said the fire was contained, and that crews would continue to patrol and monitor the area.
At least two of the fires were believed to have been sparked by lightning strikes, but Eagle County's public information officer did not immediately clarify which ones those were.
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