Immediate area and boardwalk at Hanging Lake survives blaze

GLENWOOD CANYON, Colo. (KRDO) -- The U.S. National Forest says the wildfire near Glenwood Springs blazed past an iconic state lake, but the "immediate" area was not impacted.

Fire officials flew over Hanging Lake on Friday afternoon to assess the damage caused by Grizzly Creek Fire, which has now grown to 19,440 acres as of Saturday morning. An aerial photo of the lake after the wildfire passed through is shown at the bottom of this article.

"The immediate area around Hanging Lake, the boardwalk and the upper reaches of the trail did not burn," according to the White River National Forest. But other areas surrounding the lake did burn "intensely."

The cause of the wildfire is unknown, but 553 personnel are actively trying to extinguish the flames, which are zero percent contained.

I-70 continues to be closed between Glenwood Springs and Gypsum, with no estimated time for reopening. Alternatives like Forest Service Road 400 and Eagle-Thomasville Road have also been closed due to excessive traffic and accidents caused by drivers hoping to get through.