Unfavorable weather conditions have given second life to the Lake Christine Fire, burning near Basalt in Eagle and Pitkin Counties.
Recent growth with the fire forced emergency officials to issue new pre-evacuation orders for the Cedar Creek, Toner Creek, Seven Castles, and Taylor Road areas Thursday night. People living in the Missouri Heights area remained on pre-evacuation notice.
The fire has burned 8,315 acres, showing recent growth on the north side of the fire from low humidity and heat in the area. Several days ago, the fire had burned nearly 7,000 acres. It remains at 59 percent containment.
Authorities had lifted pre-evacuation notices for Basalt and El Jebel Thursday due to containment on the south side of the fire.
The Lake Christine Fire started on July 3 at a shooting range where a man and a woman fired tracer rounds, a special pyrotechnic bullet that allows people to see it travel through the air.
Twenty-two-year-old Allison Marcus and 23-year-old Richard Miller turned themselves in to Eagle County deputies on Sunday. They’re facing charges of fourth degree arson and firing woods or prairie. Both charges are felonies. The suspects are being held on a $7.5 million bond.
