Deep Creek Fire reaches 80 acres, causes evacuations
The Deep Creek Fire in Grand County, originally named the Spring Creek Fire, reached 80 acres Thursday after breaking out Wednesday afternoon.
Approximately 75 firefighters worked on the fire Thursday northwest of the Green Mountain Reservoir, officials said. Two helicopters, three air tankers and an air attack plane assisted firefighters.
The fire is burning grass, sage and beetle-killed lodgepole pine on White River National Forest and private lands.
Officials said the fire was human-caused though the exact cause is still under investigation. The fire ignited Wednesday at around 4:30 p.m.
Overnight monitoring Wednesday was conducted by firefighters from Summit Fire & EMS and federal firefighters as well as Vail Fire, Greater Eagle Fire and Northwest Fire, operating as part of the Mountain Mutual Aid consortium.
Evacuations have been ordered for Shadow Creek Ranch, west of the Blue River. Spring Creek Ranch, between State Highway 9 and the Blue River, is under pre-evacuation notice.
No structures have been damaged at this time.
The White River National Forest, Summit County and Bureau of Land Management lands are in Stage One fire restrictions, meaning no campfires or charcoal outside of metal grates and provided campground rings.
Grand County is in Stage Two fire restrictions, meaning no campfires or charcoal anywhere.