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The devastating Spring Fire mostly contained Tuesday

Posted at 6:58 AM, Jul 10, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-10 08:58:13-04
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLwhzB0brsk?rel=0&showinfo=0]

The Spring Fire has burned close to 108,000 acres in two weeks and it’s left more than 130-people without homes.

The blaze is at 77% containment and a major milestone was reached as some of the evacuees from the south side of the fire were finally allowed to go home, even though many people weren’t sure of what they’d find when they got there. 

All Cuchara residents and people living in the Raspberry Mountain, Piney Ridge and Pine Haven areas were told Monday that they can return to their homes. 

Firefighters have made tremendous progress on the fire, but Tuesday morning, the northwest flank of the fire remains to be a trouble spot. The fire is most active around Paradise acres. Officials say the area is incredibly challenging and it’s leaving many residents unsure if their homes are still standing. More than 1,000 of the 1,745 firefighters are working to contain that side of the fire.

Incident command said the fire continues to burn on the western side near Big Sheep Mountain. Firefighters are working to build and improve existing containment lines south of Red Wing and are focusing on protecting structures in that area.

County Road 520 is closed in Huerfano County due to firefighter activity, and Highway 69 from milemarker 5 to milemarker 42 will be closed to all but local traffic in that stretch. Highway 160 reopened over the weekend, it may be closed as needed for firefighting efforts.

Parts of the San Isabel National Forest area closed to recreational visitors. For more information about the closure, contact the San Carlos Ranger District of the Pike and San Isabel National Forests at (719) 553-1400.

Tuesday will see a shift in the weather, including some cloud coverage and humidity. Some rain is even expected tomorrow, which will make it easier for firefighters to work directly on the flames.

EVACUATION INFORMATION

EVACUATION/ASSISTANCE CENTERS

Evacuees from Huerfano County should go to the Red Cross Shelter in Walsenburg at 928 Russell Street Walsenburg, CO 81089.

County officials also opened a new location to receive Rapid Re-entry identification cards at the Upper Huerfano Fire Protection District. That’s located at 25396 CO HWY 69, Gardner, CO and it will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

La Veta Disaster Assistance Center located at 126 E Garland St in La Veta.

Blanca/Fort Garland Community Center located at 17591 E. Hwy 160 in Blanca, CO

Centennial High School in San Luis located at 14644 CO-159, San Luis, CO 81152


RELATED:

Spring Fire: How you can help

Arrest documents: Spring Fire arson suspect started small fire to cook meat

VIDEO: Forbes Park home consumed by Spring Fire

Official Facebook page for firefighting effort – Spring Fire 2018

Official Twitter account for firefighting effort – @SpringFire2018