Crews battle small wildfire in remote Flat Tops Wilderness
U.S. Forest Service/Courtesy Photo
Nineteen firefighters responded Tuesday to a fire in a remote area of the Flat Tops Wilderness, about 20 miles north of Glenwood Springs.
The Elk Knob Fire was estimated as 5.6 acres as of 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
The fire was likely started by lightning strikes from several days ago, according to a U.S. Forest Service statement Tuesday evening. Lightning-caused fires can smolder for several days before growing large enough to be detected.
The fire was initially reported at 10:58 a.m. Tuesday. 19 firefighters initially responded with the assistance of two helicopters dropping water.
Six smokejumpers parachuted into the area, while four firefighters rappelled from a helicopter. The remaining crew members hiked in from the end of Coffee Pot Road, a remote access point to the Flat Tops Wilderness.
An additional 10 firefighters hiked in to join the response, according to U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Officer David Boyd.
The Post Independent will continue to update this story.
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