LEADVILLE, COLORADO – As of June 18, 2024, the Interlaken Fire, located 7 miles S-SW of Leadville, Colorado, has reached 86% containment, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Nick Ostrom. The fire, which began on June 11, 2024, due to human causes, has affected 739 acres.
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Current Situation
All highways, towns, and most businesses near the fire area remain open. However, for public safety, certain trails and roads within the fire zone are closed to allow firefighters to manage the fire and remove hazardous trees. Yesterday marked another successful day on the fireline, with minimal fire behavior observed along the eastern, western, and southern perimeters of the fire. In contrast, the interior sections showed moderate fire activity, with the fire creeping along the forest floor and smoldering in dense ground vegetation and pine needle litter.
Occasional single tree torching has been noted on the northern perimeter (DIV A) during hotter and windy conditions. The fire is also backing downhill toward the lake shore, producing consistent smoke in that area. A fire module is actively working near historical structures to cool burning vegetation pockets within the fire perimeter. Firefighters are also securing the southern end (DIV D) by cooling hot spots with water and hand tools, increasing the containment depth.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Ongoing Firefighting Efforts
Today, firefighters will continue securing the fireline by locating and cooling heat pockets, expanding containment lines. Chainsaw operations will remove hazardous trees along trails and the 399-road system to ensure future recreational safety. Aircraft are supporting ground crews by transporting water, cargo, and conducting reconnaissance operations. Certified pilot firefighters are operating Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for infrared data and reconnaissance.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. The public is reminded not to fly drones in the area, as this could impede firefighting efforts.
Resource Allocation and Smoke Conditions
As the threat from the Interlaken Fire decreases, some fire resources may be reassigned to assist with other wildfires across the U.S. Air quality in surrounding areas and the Hwy 82 corridor has improved, with monitors reporting “green” on the index scale during the day and “moderate” during evening and early morning hours. For more information on smoke conditions, visit Colorado Air Quality and AirNow.
Free: Complete Colorado 14ers Planner
Every peak. Every trailhead. Every detail: in one spreadsheet.
- All 58 peaks ranked beginner to expert
- Safety notes and seasonal windows for each
- Route difficulty, mileage, and prep tips
Weather and Closures
The weather remains dry and windy, with sunny conditions expected today. Maximum temperatures will reach 68°F, with humidity levels between 13-18%. Winds will pick up in the afternoon, reaching 14 mph from the southwest.
Several trail, lot, and road closures are in effect. As of June 14, 2024, an official order from the Forest Service is in place. For detailed information, visit the PSICC website and check the “Fire Restrictions and Forest Orders” section on the main page.
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