Officials believe lightning sparked the Quarry Fire which began burning in Fremont County Saturday.
The fire is burning near Fremont Peak, close to mile marker 275, just west of Canon City. It is near the rock quarry above the PCC Fremont Campus along Highway 50.
Latest reports Saturday night estimated the fire at eight to ten acres.
Several single engine air tankers and a helicopter were doing water drops over the fire Saturday. Multiple hand crews were on scene as well. Air attacks slowed down late Saturday, as crews prepared to monitor the blaze throughout the night.
Helicopter doing a water drop at the #QuarryFire @KOAA still at 8/10 acres pic.twitter.com/GWZsppghXT
— Adam Knapik (@adamknapik) July 8, 2018
Skyline Drive is closed for fire crews. The PCC Fremont Campus has also been closed due to the fire, there will be no public access to the campus, walking trails or disc golf course.
People are asked to not stop along Highway 50 and take photos as it is can clog the roadways for fire crews.
At this time no structures are threatened and no injuries have been reported.
(Video Courtesy: Shari Martinez)
At roughly the same time the Quarry Fire broke out, another fire started in Fremont County, dubbed the Twin Fire.
This fire was off Fremont County Road 3 near the old Buckskin Joes, and the Royal Gorge Park.
The sheriff’s office said two people were reportedly struck by lightning in Royal Gorge Park around the same time the fires started. Their conditions are unknown, but they did deny any medical treatment.
Eastridge campground off County Road 3 was evacuated as a precaution, the sheriff’s office said.
Around 7:00 p.m. Saturday night, officials reported that BLM and Canon City Fire crews were able to contain the Twin Fire. Around 8:00 p.m., they reported the fire was out and resources were joining the fight against the Quarry Fire.
