Snowmass wildfire reported as contained

A wildland fire in the area of 2000 Snowmass Creek Road that was reported Wednesday, Nov. 5 and burned approximately four acres has been contained, officials confirmed on Thursday.

Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority was dispatched at approximately 12:17 p.m. Nov. 5, with initial dispatch information indicating, “a wildland fire in the area of Williams Hill that was burning uphill,” according to a press release. Updates from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office advised that the fire was spreading and best accessible from Bonfire Lane.

Pano AI, an AI-powered wildfire camera detection system installed on communications sites in the Roaring Fork Valley, alerted on multiple sites, according to the release. The wildland fire burned primarily on private land, with some encroachment into Bureau of Land Management open space.

“Due to the location, RFFRA apparatus and personnel arrived on scene within 14 minutes,” the press release states. “Multiple units responded, including two brush trucks, one engine, one tender, and two command vehicles. Mutual aid partners assisted with an ambulance, three brush trucks, two engines, and three command vehicles. Within two hours, crews had contained the fire.”

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Since structures were being threatened, with a critical communications site located on Williams Hill, aviation resources were immediately requested through the Grand Junction Interagency Dispatch Center. A Type I helicopter, two Single Engine Air Tankers, Air Attack, and a Multi-Mission Aircraft were ordered, according to the release, but the aviation resources were ultimately cancelled as wind conditions improved and fire activity decreased, allowing ground crews to make “substantial progress.”

The crew remained on scene for approximately one additional hour after the fire was contained to conduct mop-up operations and ensure the fire was fully extinguished, the press release confirms.

Snowmass Creek Road was temporarily closed between Capitol Creek and Watson Divide roads Wednesday for responder safety and as a staging area for apparatus. During the Bonfire Lane incident, Roaring Fork Fire Rescue Authority also responded to three additional calls for service in the Snowmass and Snowmass Village areas, the press release confirms.

Mutual aid was provided by Aspen Ambulance District, Aspen Fire Protection District, and Carbondale & Rural Fire Protection District. Additional support came from the Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, Pitkin County Emergency Management, and Pitkin County Road and Bridge. The Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch Center provided dispatch communications, and Holy Cross Energy responded to the scene to shut down power, in addition to both the U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control offering assistance.

“RFFRA extends sincere thanks to all partner agencies for their strong collaboration and support,” the release states. “No open burning was reported on Bonfire Lane. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by RFFRA.”

No structures were damaged and no injuries were reported. A Holy Cross Energy power pole did sustain damage from flames.