Summit County Citizens Voice

Fire may be linked with recreational shooting activity

The Springer Fire, in Park County, Colorado, is about 39 percent contained at 1,145 acres.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Fire officials Thursday confirmed previous reports that the 1,145-acre Springer Fire in Park County, Colorado, was human-caused and possibly linked with recreational shooting activity in the area.

Local law enforcement agencies, along with the FBI and ATF continued to investigate the cause of the fire. It’s not clear whether the fire may have starting from the shooting activity itself (sparks from gun, or a bullet impact), or from related activities by the shooters (dropped cigarette, etc).

Nearly 500 firefighters made significant progress in controlling the Springer Fire Wednesday, preventing damage to structures and reaching 39 percent containment. Along with ground crews, there are two heavy air tankers available and some single-engine tankers are also assigned to the fire.

Air support was grounded Wednesday for a few hours after observers saw a bright object in the sky that turned out to be a meteor.

The Springer Fire is burning about 3.5 miles southwest of Lake George on Pike-San Isabel National Forest lands in Ponderosa pine and grass.

Evacuations remain in effect for Wagon Tongue subdivision, Echo Valley subdivision and Circle C Ranch. An evacuation center has been established at the Woodland Park High School. Large animals may be taken to the fairgrounds in Cripple Creek. Small animals may be taken to the Teller County Animal Shelter.

Eleven Mile Canyon Recreation Area (river corridor) is closed.

Filed under: climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Environment, forest fires, forests Tagged: | Cause of Springer Fire, Colorado wildfires, FBI investigation Springer Fire, Lake George, Pike National Forest, Springer Fire