Fire
Bent County fire now 85 percent contained
Posted: Apr 12, 2011 1:01 PM by Greg Boyce
Updated: Apr 12, 2011 1:07 PM
FORT LYON, Colo. (AP) - A large wildfire in southeast Colorado has been 85 percent contained. Fire managers said cooperative weather Monday night helped crews fighting an 11-square-mile wildfire near Las Animas, about 85 miles east of Pueblo. Crews were working Tuesday to put out hot spots and protect structures as a precaution.
The fire danger remained high across the southeastern plains. A red flag warning has been issued for the area. Winds are forecast to gust up to 45 miles per hour and temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s. The fire flared up for a time Monday night, leading to temporary evacuation orders for 50 houses.
The fire is about a quarter-mile from the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility, but the prison hasn't been threatened or evacuated.
The blaze started Saturday.
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