Vasquez Creek Forest Fire    June 20th, 2017

The first fire of the season is reminder of the tender conditions in and around Grand County.  A fire broke out this afternoon near Vasquez Creek in Winter Park and grew to a little over and acre according to Todd Holzwarth, Chief of East Grand Fire District.

At approximately 1:30 pm fire crews were dispatched to a wildfire three miles south of Hwy 40 on Vasquez Road near the Denver Water Board Road. Vasquez (GCR 7) is closed to the public. The fire is approximately one acre burning in timber on USFS land. Cause is undetermined, but fire officials believe it may have been caused by an unattended campfire. Fire crews on scene include East Grand Fire Protection District #4, Grand Fire Protection District No. 1, Grand Lake Fire Protection District, and the USFS. Thank you to Fraser Winter Park Police Department, Grand County Sheriff’s Office, and Grand County Office of Emergency Management and GCEMS as well. The CDFPC multi-mission aircraft flew the fire perimeter at 2:30.

Multiple agencies responded to the wildland fire along Vasquez Road SW of Winter Park. East Grand Fire, Grand Lake Fire, Grand Fire, Grand County EMS, Sheriff’s Office and Office of Emergency Management, along with Winter Park / Fraser police department worked the scene. Campgrounds in the area have been evacuated for safety measures. U.S. Forest Service is sent aircraft to help monitor the situation.

UPDATE: 6/20/17 at 4:30pm: Approximately 70% containment on the one acre #VasquezFire. Over 28 incident personnel on scene. USFS Incident Commander just assumed command of the fire. GCR 7 still closed to the public until the area is made safe.


UPDATE: 6/20/17 at 7:00pm:  Fire is mostlycontained with a few hot spots and crews will remain on scene as light winds and showers are in the area.