Flames Engulfed Over 300 Acres Between Basalt and Carbondale

An uncontrollable fire whipped through a large area down valley from Basalt yesterday, charring over 300 acres and damaging at least 4 structures. Emergency crews were notified shortly after 12:00 yesterday afternoon that a controlled burn had spread to nearby brush by wind gusts of over 50 miles per hour. The wind carried the flames over the Roaring Fork River and eventually over Highway 82 and up towards the Missouri Heights neighborhood. Residents in Ranch at Roaring Fork and several surrounding areas were forced to evacuate their homes and flee to a shelter set up at Roaring Fork High School by the Red Cross. Most recent reports state the fire is 25 percent contained, but cooler weather and a fifty percent chance of a rain/snow mix should help the firefighters in their efforts.

Kudos are going out throughout the valley to all of the volunteer firefighters and rescue workers for their hard work. Despite the uncontrollable spread of the fire, no homes were completely lost and no one was seriously injured. Only one person is reported to be in the hospital due to fire related injuries.

Information and photo gathered from Aspen Daily News and Aspen Times