Wetmore Fire Destroys Or Damages 14 Homes, Others Evacuated
WETMORE, Colo. (AP/CBS4) - A 2,200-acre wildfire that forced the evacuation of hundreds of people in and around a small southern Colorado town has damaged or destroyed at least 14 houses, authorities said Wednesday.
The count could go up after a survey of the damage near Wetmore, an unincorporated town about 100 miles south of Denver, fire spokesman Ralph Bellah said.
About 380 people were evacuated in Custer County after the fire broke out Tuesday and quickly spread in winds gusting up to 79 mph. The fire continued to spread through the night, forcing authorities to go door-to-door to evacuate seven homes in neighboring Pueblo County.
Firefighters were working to build containment lines around the fire, but more strong winds could ground firefighting helicopters and small air tankers for a second day. Winds could gust to around 30 mph and temperatures were expected to be in the 60s.
Dry, windy conditions were expected across southeastern Colorado and parts of neighboring New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas. However, a cold front moving in later in the day could bring snow or rain to the fire, raising some hope that Colorado's protracted fire season could be nearing an end.
"That's what we said last week," Bellah said.
The fire season in Colorado started in March, usually one of the snowiest months in the state, with a blaze that burned 6 square miles and killed three people in the foothills outside Denver.
Fire managers also hope the change in weather will help stop the growth of a 979-acre wildfire burning in Rocky Mountain National Park. Parts of it have flared up because of strong winds in recent days and they're monitoring it to make sure it doesn't move beyond the park.
The cause of the Wetmore Fire was still officially under investigation, but wind may be to blame. Custer County Sheriff Fred Jobe told The Denver Post that colliding power lines apparently created sparks that ignited dry brush.
The following was released by the Office of Gov. John Hickenlooper on Wednesday:
Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a disaster declaration today for a wildfire burning in Custer County. The Executive Order makes resources available to pay for fire suppression, response and recovery effort related to the Wetmore Fire.
"On Oct. 23, the Division of Fire Prevention and Control received a request for assistance from the Custer County Sheriff for a wildfire burning near the town of Wetmore. At the time of the request the fire was threatening approximately 350 homes in and around the Town of Wetmore and mandatory evacuations were in progress. In addition to the homes and businesses, the fire is also threatening roads, utilities and a watershed in the area," the Executive Order states.
Disaster declarations authorize the transfer of any funds in the state budget to the Disaster Emergency Fund, which is not funded unless money is needed. State law does not allow people who have lost homes or property in the fire to seek reimbursement from these disaster funds.
LINK: Read The Executive Order
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