Wildfire In Bent County Forces Evacuations

CAMPO, Colo. (AP) - Homes are being evacuated where a fire has burned 11 square miles in southeast Colorado.

Bent County sheriff's authorities said the evacuations were being ordered Monday evening near Las Animas. KKTV in Colorado Springs reports about 30 people are affected.

The fire started Saturday and spread quickly across the plains, forcing about a dozen homes to be temporarily evacuated on Sunday in Hasty along U.S. 50.

Firefighters had contained most of the blaze on Sunday, including the part burning in the John Martin Reservoir area. Access to the reservoir has been limited. The north boat ramp, the visitor center and boat inspection facility are closed.

In Baca County, a fatal rollover sparked a 3-square-mile wildfire northeast of Campo that destroyed a home, a fire truck and several outbuildings. Another home was damaged.

It was contained early Sunday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Link: Wildfire Resources