WETMORE, Colo. -- A total of 12 structures were lost Tuesday when a wind-whipped fire blew through the Greenwood area just south of Wetmore along Colorado 96.
The fire grew to 1,000 acres by 8:30 p.m. after it sparked to life on private property early Tuesday afternoon, according to U.S. Forest Service Fire Information Officer Ralph Bellah. There was no containment.
More than 100 firefighters were at the scene along with several helicopters on hand to drop retardant when winds allow.
"We are going to work all night conducting structure protection and getting out hot spots around the fire," Bellah said.
Pueblo County crews were guarding about 25 homes on the east side of the fire Tuesday evening. The fire crossed the county line about 5 p.m.
Bellah said the fire was "human-caused." It initially was reported as a structure fire behind a home.
"We still have no reports of any injuries," said Lisa Shorter, a spokesman for the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office.
A Type II Fire Incident team is coming to the Wetmore Fire at 6 p.m. today to take command. Unfortunately, the weather report calls for more wind.
When the fire erupted Tuesday, residents of the
Greenwoods subdivision and portions of Wetmore were evacuated. Pueblo County officials used their automated service to call more than 300 cellphone numbers registered in the Wetmore area to order an evacuation.
At the same time, strike forces of Custer County and Pueblo County deputies went door-to-door to ensure people evacuated.
Winds of more than 50 mph fueled the blaze, forcing the closure of two highways. Both Colorado 96 between Pueblo Reservoir and Wetmore and Colorado 67 south of the Federal Bureau of Prison complex to Wetmore both were closed.
Firefighters from a total of 15 area fire departments responded to help fight the blaze. Winds prevented helicopters from helping with retardant drops, Bellah said.
The fire was burning in an area where several fires have sparked over the past few years. It was burning south of the old Mason Gulch Fire burn area, Bellah said.
Red Cross emergency shelters were opened in Pueblo and Florence and the Colorado State Fair is taking in large animals that need sheltering.
Fair General Manager Chris Wiseman said large animal owners should contact the Red Cross first to notify them they need to use the Fairgrounds. Owners should bring feed if possible.
Shorter said Pueblo County used its automated "pueblocountyoptin.com" service to notify residents on their cellphones to evacuate. Anyone wanting that service can register their phone number at that Website.
Copyright 2012 - The Pueblo Chieftain, Colo.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
