The cause of a small wildfire west of the Gold Hill trailhead between Breckenridge and Frisco over the Labor Day Weekend remains unknown and will likely remain that way, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Forest Service public affairs officer David Boyd said that crews are expected to finish putting out hotspots on scene to ensure the fire is fully extinguished by the end of the day Monday, Sept. 2.

The Gold Hill Fire was first reported Sunday afternoon, Sept. 1. The fire was approximately 60 feet by 20 feet in dimension, or less than one-tenth of an acre and had little risk of spreading, the White River National Forest said at the time.

Firefighters contained the fire overnight, Boyd said. The cause will likely remain unknown, as an investigation found no signs of recent human activity in the area and no lightning within the past seven days, he said.

Initial responding units used hand tools and a chainsaw to create a handline to mineral soil around the fire to prevent it from spreading, Boyd said. Firefighters carried in 45 gallons of water in 5 gallon bladder bags to cool the inside edge of the handline, he said.

Approximately 1,000 feet of hose was stretched to the fire from a logging road late Sunday to put out hotspots on the scene Monday, Boyd said. At the busiest point, there were three engine companies and 13 staff on scene at the wildfire at once, he said.

Red, White & Blue Fire Protection District, Summit Fire & EMS and the Summit County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

Amid a bout of drier weather, the fire danger in Summit County has been elevated to high. Those recreating should never leave a campfire unattended and ensure that it is fully out — meaning it is cold to the touch — before leaving.