An unoccupied home that caught fire early Tuesday morning on the east end of Ruedi Reservoir above Basalt was a total loss after firefighters were unable to quickly access the area with firefighting equipment due to slick, snow-covered roads.
Roaring Fork Fire Rescue, the new combined Basalt and Snowmass fire district, was called at 6:33 a.m. Tuesday to a fire alarm in a residence at 540 South Shore Drive. The house is located in a rural subdivision on the east end of Ruedi Reservoir, near the small village of Meredith.
“While fire crews were en route, the Pitkin County Regional Emergency Dispatch received a call at 7:09 a.m. from a neighbor that the home was full of smoke,” Deputy Fire Chief Pete Bradshaw said in a news release.
Due to the Monday snowstorm, road conditions and the remote location, the first responder arrived on scene at 7:44 a.m., and initial reports indicated heavy smoke in the structure, according to the release.
“The initial responder was able to locate and attack the fire, however the fire had already extended in the walls, and despite best efforts the fire grew and involved the structure,” Bradshaw said.
RFFR remains on scene this morning with 11 firefighters and four engines. However, “suppression efforts are limited, as the logistical challenge of hauling water to that location over a snow covered, narrow roads is difficult at best,” according to the release.
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The home was not occupied at the time of the fire, and no civilians or firefighters were injured as a result of the fire, the release stated. The home is expected to be a total loss.
Roaring Fork Fire Rescue was assisted on scene by Pitkin County Road and Bridge and a private snow moving contractor.