Lake Christine Fire


The Lake Christine Fire was a wildfire which burned near Basalt and Carbondale, Colorado, United States, in Eagle County. The Lake Christine Fire started on July 3, 2018 and was later downgraded to a Burned Area Response on September 4, 2018. The fire burned a total of 12,588 acres. 90% contained.

Incidents

The fire started at around 6 PM on July 3, 2018, near the Basalt Shooting Range. It was believed to have been started by Richard Karl Miller, 23, and Allison Sarah Marcus, 22, who were using tracer rounds at the Shooting Range during Stage 2 fire restrictions in Eagle County. They both face 4th degree arson charges. The shooting range had not been closed down by Colorado Parks and Wildlife before the fire started, despite the fire restrictions.
The fire destroyed three homes on and along the mountainside which the fire burned.
On September 4, 2018, the fire was downgraded to a Burned Area Response.

Closures

Upper Cattle Creek in the southbound direction and Kelly Lake Road were closed.

Evacuations

500 homes were evacuated under mandatory evacuations in Missouri Heights, the El Jebel Mobile Home Park and on other parts of Basalt Mountain. These evacuations were later lifted.
Two evacuation centers were open, one being at Basalt High School in Basalt which closed on July 9. The other at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale was closed on July 7.
On July 20, 2018 the fire grew yet again, causing pre evacuation orders to be put in place for Cedar Drive, Toner Creek, Seven Castles and Taylor Road. These evacuations were later lifted.