PARK COUNTY — The Shawnee Peak fire has been burning in the Lost Creek Wilderness area near Bailey for over one week.
The fire remains 70 acres in size and 60% contained, according to the National Forest Service.
Firefighters contained a new fire ignition Monday that NFS reported a quarter of a mile north of the Shawnee Peak fire. NFS said a local citizen reported the fire at 3:40 p.m. and firefighters contained it with the help of helicopter water drops.
Firefighters will patrol along fire containment lines Tuesday. NFS said helicopters will be working on the fire by hauling cargo and shuttling firefighters.
NFS said the recent increase in size is attributed to the consumption of fuels as the fire continues to burn through unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and constructed fire lines. NFS said the unburned areas within the perimeter keeps the fire active.
NFS said the management strategy for the fire continues to be a full-scale suppression strategy, which prioritizes firefighter and public safety while utilizing tactics that lend to the highest probability of success.
The agency added that Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics have been utilized throughout the fight to minimize impacts to the natural resources in the Lost Creek Wilderness. The fire is now under a Type 4 Incident Management Team.
There are 67 personnel working on both air and ground support, including hot shot crews and helicopters.
No structures are threatened by the fire and no evacuations are in place.
The fire was first reported Aug. 26 and lightning was determined to be the cause.
