LAS ANIMAS –A wildfire burning east of Las Animas and west of Ft. Lyon has forced the evacuation of 7 homes in Bent County. As of 9:00 a.m. Friday, the fire is estimated between 300 to 400 acres in size.
There is zero containment on the fire as crews work to get as much accomplished as possible before this afternoon when winds are expected to increase bringing a stronger fire danger.
A wildfire is burning on est. 400 acres of John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area and adjacent Fort Lyon State Wildlife Area. Smoke can be seen for miles. It started Thursday night of unknown origin. 42 firefighters from 15 agencies on scene. 7 homes evacuated. No injuries. pic.twitter.com/OYyIXwH4R5
— CPW SE Region (@CPW_SE) April 5, 2019
This is being called the #BlackbridgeFire (there was already a different fire named Ft Lyon Fire). It started yesterday around 5pm. Appx 300-400 acres have burned. No casualties or structures lost. pic.twitter.com/YJhpPeHgkn
— Andy Koen (@KOAAAndyKoen) April 5, 2019
Crews tell News5’s Andy Koen no structures have been lost and no injuries have been reported.
The fire started around 5 p.m. Thursday near the Bent County Correctional facility. In a post from the Hasty/McClave Volunteer Fire Department, firefighters were called back to the scene of the fire for structure protection just before 3 a.m.
Bent County and much of the eastern plains will be under a Red Flag Warning until 7 p.m. Friday night due to dry conditions and gusty winds.