BENT COUNTY — The Bent's Fort Fire has burned an estimated 1,656 acres and is considered 25 percent contained as of Thursday afternoon.
The fire is impacting local ranchers who have to rebuild part of their properties after flames swept through the area.
Rancher RJ Nelson tells News5 about 600 to 700 acres of his cattle ranch burned on Tuesday night. His family, friends, and firefighters had to get roughly 250 pairs of heifers and their calves to safety.
Just 2 years ago, Nelson had a fire burn a large section of his property in the exact same area, unfortunately at the loss of several head of cattle.
On Tuesday, the fire forced the evacuation of about 125 people to a shelter in Las Animas.
The separate Fort Lyon Fire burned down two homes, but only one of them was occupied. Officials say this fire Fort Lyon is 2,909 acres, but is at 50% contained. The historical site has not been damaged.
Another large fire was also burning near Cheraw earlier Tuesday but was contained before the night ended. In total, there were at least five fires burning in Bent and Otero County.
15 different agencies have responded to the fires. Crews are still on scene battling the fires.
FIRE FLARING UP NEAR FORT LYONS: Crews continue through the night to fight 3 wildfires in southeastern Colorado. This fire is between Fort Lyons and Las Animas. @KOAAMayoDavison and I are leaving for the night. Follow @NatalieChuck for the latest on these fires. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/cm3W4QJcwB
— Carl Winder KOAA (@CWinderKOAA) April 13, 2022
Colorado Parks and Wildlife closed the 19,471-acre John Martin Reservoir State Wildlife Area near Fort Lyon due to the wildfire.
This is a developing story.
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RELATED:
Want to sign up for emergency alerts in El Paso and Teller counties? To sign up for the Peak Alerts system visit https://elpasoteller911.org/246/Peak-Alerts or for more information call (719) 785-1900. If you have questions you can also email info@elpasoteller911.org
HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN EVACUATION
To be prepared to evacuate:
- Pack a kit that includes everything your family needs to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
- Don’t forget communication: Print a hard copy list of phone numbers, a battery or solar-powered radio to monitor emergency notifications, and sign up for emergency notifications through PeakAlerts.org to get emergency notices.
- Don’t forget prescription medications, important documents, and take photos of a home inventory for insurance.
- Have your kit ready to grab at a moment’s notice because disasters don’t wait for you to get your stuff.
Keep in mind everyone's kit will be different depending on different needs. Learn more about what should be in your kit with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office 'Ready, Set, Go' program.
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