Goltra Fire in Jefferson County reaches 60% containment, US 6 to remain closed

DENVER ( KDVR ) — The Goltra Fire in Clear Creek Canyon west of Golden grew to 204 acres Wednesday, but firefighters had achieved 60% containment by nightfall.

Some 65 firefighters were on the ground Wednesday battling the blaze believed to be caused by lightning. Helicopters from Douglas County were also assisting with water drops.

“They will all be back at it first thing in the morning, to put this fire ‘to bed’ for good,” the sheriff’s office posted on Wednesday night .

Clear Creek Canyon and U.S. 6 will remain closed until at least Thursday while crews work.

U.S. 6 is closed from Highway 58 to Highway 119. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said more information may be released Thursday about the canyon’s reopening.

The sheriff’s office has assessed the risk posed by the fire and found no homes in the area, only land, and said no evacuations were expected.

Goltra Fire grows from 10 to 200 acres

On Tuesday afternoon, fire crews were called to a brush fire burning along U.S. 6 near tunnel 1 in Clear Creek Canyon. The sheriff’s office said the fire was most likely caused by lightning that moved through the area. Witnesses told the sheriff’s office they saw the strike and the fire started shortly after.

On Tuesday, the fire was only 10 acres and had not endangered any structures, but on Wednesday, the sheriff’s office said the fire grew “significantly” overnight and additional resources were ordered.

FOX31’s Jim Hooley spoke to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office early Wednesday and learned the fire had grown to over 200 acres because of heavy down-canyon winds. A flyover was conducted Wednesday morning, mapping the blaze at 198 acres.

During a Wednesday afternoon update, the sheriff’s office said the overarching goal for Wednesday’s operations was to gain portions of containment throughout the fire’s perimeter. An estimate on the fire’s containment was not provided but is expected later Wednesday night. Overall, the sheriff’s office seemed positive.

“We’ve had a good day, a very good day, according to our incident commander,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.

Air attacks

FOX31’s Gabby Easterwood reported that responders had a number of reasons why air attacks were not used sooner, mainly that Tuesday night was spent gathering the needed resources.

“We are always looking at what are the values at risk, what are the things we need to bring those extra resources for, and it’s watershed and water supply, it’s homes, it’s infrastructure, and none of those things applied last night and they still don’t,” sheriff’s office spokesperson Jacki Kelley said. “So we have to be good stewards of taxpayers’ dollars of what we need and not get ahead of ourselves, and that was the decision that was made last night and we stand behind that decision.”

The agency said it anticipates similar operations on Thursday, but the temperature is anticipated to be about 10 degrees lower with more humidity expected in the area.

Kelley said firefighters from multiple agencies are fighting the flames on the ground, and they are working in tough, steep terrain.

“Every step is rocky; every step is unsteady. It’s very, very vertical and once again we are dealing with a lot of rattlesnake activity in that area,” Kelley said.

The sheriff’s office said the fire made it up to U.S. 6 overnight but did not cross the road. While no evacuations are anticipated, area residents are concerned.

“This time of year, any kind of fire here in Colorado, everybody is just on alert all the time,” Mark Dunlap told FOX31’s Kim Posey.

Plus with U.S. 6 closed, drivers are having to make alternate plans.

“It’s not convenient for a lot of people. We can go around, so it’s not a big deal, but that’s tough,” he said.

Even if fire restrictions lessen, officials ask residents to use caution.

“It is still dry. One lightning strike caused this fire. So, it is still a need to be incredibly cautious with how you use any sort of spark or flame, and report anything you see,” Kelley said.

However, one benefit is the Goltra Fire is not currently competing for resources in the area, allowing firefighters to focus on the blaze.

The sheriff’s office shared a map of where the fire was burning as of noon on Wednesday.

The Goltra Fire is believed to have received its name from the former or current landowner, according to the sheriff’s office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.