The Lake County Office of Emergency Management stated in a Facebook post June 29 that there were no major updates to the Willow Fire near Leadville overnight. The fire ignited around 4 p.m. Sunday, June 28.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, June 29, the office stated the fire remains 0% contained, and the office, the U.S. Forest Service’s Pike-San Isabel National Forest, and Watch Duty, a fire detection app, all estimate the fire is now around 1,200 acres, an increase from the 1,066-acre figure sources estimated the evening of June 28.

Around 60 local, state and federal personnel are on scene this morning, the post stated, and a Type 3 incident management team, which is made up of personnel from multiple agencies and jurisdictions, will take command of the fire today.

The Forest Service’s Pike-San Isabel National Forest Facebook page posted around 11:15 a.m. Monday, stating the fire was “very active” Sunday, with “torching, group crown runs and long range spotting when topography and winds aligned.” Because of the rough terrain, Sunday’s firefighting efforts mostly featured air response, the post stated.

Crews are scouting the fire to find the best and safest access points through rough and rugged terrain, the post stated, while dealing with “very dry, windy conditions.” Officials have requested additional air support for suppression efforts, and the cause is under investigation, the office stated. The National Forest’s post stated there is one helicopter assigned to the fire now, with more on the way.

Steve Lipsher, the Summit Fire & EMS public information officer, wrote via text message that the department has not sent any personnel to the Willow Fire as of Monday morning.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Management’s post stated there have been no changes to evacuations overnight. Official issued mandatory evacuation orders yesterday for multiple roads, campgrounds and trails around Turquoise Lake, including County Roads 4, 5A, 9, 9D, 48 and 99. All campgrounds surrounding the lake, all trails from the fish hatchery and trails leading to the treeline were also evacuated.

The evacuation status map for the fire shows a pre-evacuation area that includes parts of Leadville Junction and Leadville North. The office’s post stated that rumors have circulated that the entire town of Leadville is being evacuated, but they are false. Residents should check the evacuation status map for up-to-date information.

Smoke from the fire traveled into Summit County on Sunday evening, and officials stated it would likely continue in the coming days. They asked Summit residents not to call 911 about potential fires unless they detect a distinct column of smoke or directly see flames.

Those in the Willow Fire area with large animals can take them to the Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds, and those with small animals can reach out to the Leadville/Lake County Animal Shelter, the office’s post stated. Evacuees can receive credentials at the Colorado Mountain College Leadville gym, which will allow them to return to evacuated areas once they are deemed safe, although these is no estimate for when that will be, according to the post.

Anyone who was camping or thru-hiking in the area can sleep at the Colorado Mountain College Leadville campus.

Officials are not yet accepting donations for the fire response and recovery, but the post stated information about donation options will come later Monday.

People in the area should prepare go-kits and pack their cars if they are in pre-evacuation areas, the post stated. Those in evacuation areas should leave immediately. The post suggested downloading the Watch Duty app and turning on push notifications for the Willow Fire, as well as checking the office’s Facebook page and signing up for Lake County emergency alerts.

Sunday, June 28, 6 p.m.: A wildfire that grew to more than 1,000 acres in a matter of hours near Leadville in the evening Sunday, June 28, sent smoke rolling into Summit County and led emergency officials to ask residents not to call 911 unless they detect a distinct column of smoke or flames.

Summit County’s emergency alert system notified residents shortly before 6 p.m. that smoke from what has been dubbed the Willow Fire had entered the county and may remain visible through the evening and coming days.

“Please do not call 911 unless you see a defined column of smoke originating from a single point of origin and/or can confirm you see flames,” the alert stated.

The Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District posted a similar message to social media, informing residents that smoke visible over the Tenmile Range is coming from the blaze that has spread quickly in Leadville and Twin Lakes area. 

The Willow Fire ignited Sunday afternoon around 3:30 p.m. on U.S. Forest Service land near Twin Mounds below Mount Massive — about two miles northwest of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery, according to the fire detection app Watch Duty and the Lake County Office of Emergency Management. 

Initial estimates placed the fire at three to five acres, but by around 4:38, incident commanders estimated it had nearly quadrupled in size, according to Watch Duty. Around 5 p.m., firefighters shifted focus toward evacuating residents near Turquoise Lake and the hatchery ahead of the advancing fire. 

By Sunday evening around 6:50 p.m., Watch Duty and Egp.Wildfire.gov estimates the Willow Fire has grown to 1,066 acres.

Lake County Emergency Management issued mandatory evacuation orders early Sunday evening for multiple roads, campgrounds and trails around Turquoise Lake, including County Roads 4, 5A, 9, 9D, 48 and 99. All campgrounds surrounding the lake, all trails from the fish hatchery and trails leading to the treeline were also evacuated. Officials urged residents not to wait for an evacuation notice if they felt they were in danger, according to the county emergency management’s social media page.

Displaced residents are asked to report to the Family Assistance Center at Colorado Mountain College, while large animal owners were directed to bring livestock to the rodeo grounds on McWethy, where gates opened and first responders provided water. 

Local, state and federal firefighting resources have responded to the fire, according to Lake County Emergency Management. As of Sunday evening, no containment information has been released. 

Residents can monitor official updates through Lake County Emergency Management as firefighters continue responding to the incident.