Editor’s note: This article has been edited to clarify the size of the fire.
Update (4 p.m.): The fire is approximately 20-50 hectares.
The U.S. Forest Service has ordered full suppression efforts and will deploy helicopters and airplanes. All known hikers in the area have been accounted for, according to the Grand County Sheriff’s Office.
The fire burns in the wilderness between Devil’s Thumb Park Trailhead and Devil’s Thumb Pass. The Forest Service is the lead agency.
Officials believe this fire was caused by lightning based on preliminary findings, and a fire investigator has been ordered.
The Grand County Sheriff’s Office would like to clarify that there is no fire on County Road 4. There was a large emergency response in the area due to an OHV accident that occurred during the same time as the fire.
The area where the fire is burning, which started on July 4 at approximately 2:30 p.m. Grand County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy photo
A wildfire is burning east of the Devil’s Thumb area, which started at approximately 2:30 p.m. Currently, there are no evacuations.
The fire burning near the Devil’s Thumb area is about 50 acres and growing. The aircraft is expected to be deployed by the Forest Service. Grand County Sheriff’s Office/Courtesy photo
The US Forest Service, Eastern Fire Department and the Grand County Sheriff’s Office are on the scene.
Emergency responders are asking residents and visitors to the area not to call 911 regarding the fire.
