Thanks to more than 100 firefighters and two helicopters, the Brush Creek Fire burning in Summit County is now 30 percent contained. Full containment is expected Sunday evening, if conditions remain consistent.
The fire, burning south of the community of Heeney and 12 miles north of Silverthorne, was first reported around 1:45 p.m. Friday. Pushed by winds, it grew to an estimated 229 overnight.
It is burning in thick, beetle-killed lodgepole-pine stands and open hillsides of sage and grasses.
Lake Dillon Assistant Fire Chief Bruce Farrell said about 100 firefighters were battling the fire Saturday and, in the afternoon, two helicopters and hot shot crews arrived.
The majority of the fire is burning on the Brush Creek Ranch which is private land. Residents there voluntarily evacuated Friday night, but were able to come back home by Saturday afternoon. No buildings were damaged.
Farrell said the heaviest flames are over the ridge from the ranch on Forest Service land, and that the area will likely continue to smolder until there's snowfall.
While it's rare to see wildfires in October, Farrell said dry conditions over recent weeks have left plenty of fuel.
"This is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, wildfire we've had in Summit County in recent years," he said.
Flight restrictions are in place for the area. All aircraft, including drones are restricted from flying five miles from the fire and 5,000 feet above the ground, a deputy with the Summit County Sheriff's Office said.
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