Small fire near Highland Bowl

Authorities were monitoring a small fire that was burning about 1 mile northwest of Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands on Monday, according to a statement from the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit.

No infrastructure was threatened, the agency said.

“This fire is burning in some very steep and inaccessible terrain,” Kevin Warner, acting district ranger for Aspen-Sopris Ranger Station, said in a statement. “Right now, crews are watching the fire closely and monitoring from a safe distance. We are also coordinating with our partners at the Aspen Fire Department to make sure they are aware of developments.”

Officials have billed the blaze the “Maroon Fire,” which they said was detected Sept. 13. The fire covered one-tenth of an acre and was burning in mixed conifer approximately 9,500 feet above sea level in steep and rocky terrain.

Smoke may be visible from Aspen, Maroon Creek Road and Highway 82.

Because of its remote location, the fire was being managed with a “confine and contain” strategy using such natural barriers as cliff bands and existing geographical features to confine the fire and let it take its natural course within a pre-identified management area, the agency said.

It also was being monitored daily by the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit and Aspen-Sopris Ranger District.

The agency asks that the public not call 911 about the smoke from the fire.