Flat Tops fire near Trappers Lake

A new wildfire has emerged in Colorado in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area near Trappers Lake.

The blaze, which started from a lightning strike Sept. 1, has burned about 200 acres by Thursday morning. It is burning in the same area as the Big Fish Fire that destroyed the Trappers Lake Lodge in 2002. Firefighters did not immediately discover the Himes Peak Fire because of the smoke and haze in the area from other wildfires. The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Trappers Lake and Himes Peak campgrounds due to the fire.

Smokejumpers, hand crews, an air tanker and a helicopter have responded to the fire. The fire is burning through grass, aspen and heavy dead timber.

Craig Press will have more on this as it develops.