Hayden Pass Wildfire Forces Evacuations Of 100+ Homes
COALDALE, Colo. (AP) — A wildfire burning in the southern Colorado mountains has forced the evacuation of over 100 homes as it spreads toward the small community of Coaldale.
The Hayden Pass Fire more than doubled in size to about 19 square miles on Monday and hasn't been contained at all.
Fire managers say it was started by a lightning strike in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness on Friday but crews weren't able to pinpoint its location over the weekend. It flared up Sunday and quickly grew in dead trees and dry, windy weather.
Coaldale is located along the Arkansas River, about 35 miles east of Canon City.
To the north, firefighters were able to keep a wildfire burning near Nederland from spreading despite gusty winds. It's destroyed five homes.
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