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Decker Fire Prompts New Evacuations Near Salida

SALIDA, Colo. (AP) — An active wildfire burning in a rural area of south-central Colorado has prompted new evacuations in Chaffee and Fremont counties. The new evacuations Sunday included the small towns of Wellsville and Swissvale southeast of Salida as the fire grew to about 8,118 acres.

Decker Fire 2 (Oct 9, CREDIT Hugh Clark and Decker Fire FB)
A helicopter transports a water bucket southwest toward the Decker Fire on October 9 (credit: Facebook/Hugh Clark on Decker Fire page)

An evacuation center has been set up in Salida.

Decker3
Decker Fire (credit: CBS)

The fire has been burning since Sept. 8 when it was started by lightning. It is 30% contained.

Decker Fire 1 (Oct 10 fire line set, CREDIT Joel Peters and Decker Fire FB)
A "back burn" or fire line, deliberately set by firefighters to reduce fuels in a controlled manner in front of the advancing Decker Fire, as seen on October 10. (credit: Facebook/Joel Peters on Decker Fire page)

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

LINKS: Decker Fire Interactive MapDecker Fire Inciweb

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Colorado Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

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