The Lake Christine fire could still burn for several weeks. The fire is burning in very steep terrain with pinyon-juniper and oak brush fuel. Oak fuel types tend to have thick leaf litter deposits accumulated over many years. This can harbor heat, and, when conditions are right, these fuels can reburn.
This process may occur for several weeks until wetting rains have sufficiently dampened fuels to extinguish sources of heat.
The northern perimeter of the fire is still uncontained, so the fire will likely continue to spread in that direction for the foreseeable future. Additionally, within the fire’s existing perimeter, there are unburned fuels that could ignite and result in future group torching, short crown runs, and significant smoke.
Firefighters are working to secure the perimeter of the fire so that these interior flare ups have no ability to ignite fuels outside the secured lines. Those portions of the perimeter that are declared contained have been designated with a level of confidence that there are no hot spots close to containment lines.
Local residents should keep current on evacuation status from the Eagle County Sheriff’s office.