At approximately 5:00 p.m., on Sunday, July 8, Eagle River Fire Protection District was dispatched to a report of a fire above the Eagle Springs Golf Course in Wolcott. Six individuals and two horses were evacuated as a precaution.
A Type 3 helicopter conducted bucket drops throughout the afternoon and early evening. A major power line in the area was initially threatened, and as a precaution, the communities of Edwards, Avon, Beaver Creek and Vail were notified of the possibility of a power outage. Firefighters were successful in keeping the fire away from the power lines, and as of 11:00 p.m., Incident Command did not anticipate further threat to the area’s power supply.
As of 11:00 p.m. the fire was estimated to be five acres in size. Approximately 70 personnel are currently working the fire, with more resources expected to arrive in the morning. The cause has not been determined; however, there was lighting activity in the area at the time, and two other small fires were reported along the Interstate shortly thereafter.
Crews from Eagle River Fire Protection District, Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, Gypsum Fire Protection District, the US Forest Service and Vail Fire and Emergency Services responded, and were assisted by the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado State Patrol, Vail Public Safety Communications Center, Xcel Energy, Black Hills Energy and Holy Cross Energy.