Many evacuated Pueblo residents were allowed to return home Wednesday afternoon as firefighters were able to get the Wetmore fire 15 percent contained.
The fire started Tuesday and was pushed by high winds that finally died down Wednesday morning. It consumed 14 homes in less than 24 hours, and rapidly grew to 2,200 acres.
When the winds subsided, firefighters could more aggressively attack the fire.
Most Pueblo County residents who were evacuated Tuesday were allowed to return home on the condition that they remain on "pre-evacuation status," according to an afternoon news release from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. Those residents should "remain vigilant," the release said, and should pay attention to updates on the fire's movement.
A handful of residents, those who live north of County Road 3251 and west of Siloam Road, remained on evacuation Wednesday afternoon, according to the release.
On Wednesday morning fire officials dispatched a helicopter and two single-engine airplanes to support firefighters on the ground.
A Type II fire crew and two large helicopters were expected to join the firefighting efforts by Wednesday evening. They will join 160 firefighters, including two hotshot crews, in battling the blaze.
Winds were flaring up again Wednesday afternoon.
Updated information about the size of the fire, and resources for evacuees can be found at the emergency management website. The office has also created a Google map which outlines the area of the fire.
Copyright 2012 - The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
