Wildfire near Fort Carson
A wind-driven wildfire along the border of El Paso and Pueblo counties erupted Friday, scorching more than 2,000 acres, forcing evacuations and destroying several structures.
The Carson Midway fire spread quickly near Indian Village Heights and Armadillo Heights on the southeast corner of the Fort Carson training area. Late in the day, firefighters continued to use air tankers and helicopter drops to battle the blaze.
Late in the day, 250 homes were evacuated, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. Large animals were taken to the State Fairgrounds. Structures, including possibly some homes, have been destroyed, but a specific number was not released.
According to KOAA News 5, Hanover Fire Chief Carl Tatum confirmed multiple structures have burned from the blaze.
Fire evacuations expanded just after 1 p.m., with a northbound boundary at Donner Pass View, a southbound boundary of County Line Road, an eastern boundary of Interstate 25 and a western boundary of Fort Carson Route 1, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. The Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office said Midway Ranch was being evacuated.
The evacuation route is Indian Village Heights to Interstate 25, authorities said. Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office is allowing Midway Ranch residents controlled traffic access on I-25 exit 119 at Rancho Colorado Boulevard for evacuation purposes only.
A large animal shelter is set up at the Colorado State Fairgrounds in Pueblo. Those who need to utilize the shelter can enter Gate 6 off of Small Avenue.
The Red Cross has set up an evacuation center in Fountain at the Fountain Valley Baptist Church for residents in the Midway Ranch area, officials said.
The National Weather Service in Pueblo noted critical fire weather conditions were happening across southern Colorado with winds gusting more than 25 mph and relative humidity levels dropping below 15 percent. The Weather Service warned to avoid any activities that could ignite a blaze.
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment issued an air quality health advisory just after 11 a.m. for wildfire smoke on Fort Carson near the Pueblo and El Paso County line.
“If smoke is thick or becomes thick in your neighborhood, you may want to remain indoors,” the department said in a news release. “This is especially true for those with heart disease, respiratory illnesses, the very young and the elderly. Consider limiting outdoor activity.”