Willow Fire, which started a few miles from the Leadville Fish Hatchery this afternoon, has grown in a few hours to 1,066 acres, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC).
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS are underway in all campgrounds around Turquoise Lake, all trails from the fish hatchery and trails up to treeline, as well as Hagerman Pass. This includes Colorado Trail sections.
Additionally, several County Roads are under mandatory evacuation, including: County Road 4 east to County Road 9, CR 9, 9D, 5A, 48, and County Road 99.
Evacuation warnings have gone out for homes in the Grand West area, including:
- Mountain View East and West
- Turquoise Lake Estates
- Silver Hills Subdivision
- Homes on County Roads 9, 17, and 4
Bring pets with you!
If you feel you are in danger, please do not wait for an evacuation notice and LEAVE THE AREA.
Those displaced by evacuations may go to the Family Assistance Center at Colorado Mountain college. Large animals may be brought to the Lake County Rodeo Grounds. Gates are open and water will be available.
Crews were focused on evacuating areas ahead of the fire, which was growing rapidly with moderate to extreme fire behavior in continuous fuels at as of 5 pm. Air Attack observed numerous spot fires 1/4 to 1/2 a mile ahead of the fire.
