Sugarloaf Fire Burning Hundreds Of Acres Near Ute Pass; No Structures Threatened

GRAND COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4)- The so-called Sugarloaf Fire was putting out a lot of smoke near Ute Pass on Thursday afternoon.

The wildfire is burning on National Forest land in Grand and Clear Creek Counties, north of Loveland pass and 13 miles south west of Fraser, in a remote area of the Williams Fork drainage.

It is estimated at 300 acres, burning towards the high alpine tundra.

Crews say it is burning beetle kill inside the perimeter and they are letting it burn because no structures are threatened.

"The USFS is managing several fires in the region and resources are being prioritized where life and property are at risk," officials stated Thursday night.

"Although Forest Service management is not using full suppression techniques, they are looking for opportunities to prevent growth while minimizing risk to firefighters," officials stated. "The safety of the public and firefighters is most important."

What caused the fire is being investigated. Officials urge residents not to call 911.

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